'Cats Sweep Saturday Doubleheader, Earn Ranked Win over Liberty
2/12/2022 3:19:00 PM | Softball
LEESBURG, Fla. – Northwestern turned in an impressive day two at the Northern Lights Invitational to open the 2022 softball season, earning decisive wins over Akron and No. 24 Liberty on Saturday afternoon.
The Wildcats' offense exploded for 13 hits in the 11-2 victory against Akron in the morning game. Then, after just a quick 30-minute turnaround in between games, Danielle Williams tossed a 12-strikeout gem to power the 'Cats to an 8-2 ranked victory over Liberty.
Four-different Wildcats turned in multi-hit performances in the win over Akron, led by first-year Ayana Lindsey who was making her collegiate debut. Lindsey went 3-for-4 at the plate with an RBI and two stolen bases. She added another stolen base later in the afternoon in the win over Liberty.
Lauren Boyd made her season debut in the circle vs. Akron and pitched the opening 2.0 innings, striking out four and stranding the bases loaded in each inning. Lauren Dvorak came in for relief and was lights out, pitching 5.0 innings with four strikeouts and just one earned run en route to her first-career win in the circle.
The Wildcats capitalized on several Akron mistakes early, scoring their first four runs with their work on the basepaths. Holding a 4-1 lead entering the fifth inning, NU broke the game open with a four-spot on the scoreboard, courtesy of a trio of RBI-singles from Hannah Cady, Skyler Shellmyer and Lindsey.
Nikki Cuchran finished the afternoon with three RBI, plating one in the sixth inning vs. Akron and two more via an RBI-single in the first inning vs. Liberty.
Jordyn Rudd also had an impressive showing in both games, finishing with a combined three hits, three runs scored and five RBI. Rudd drove in two runs with a triple vs. Akron and got the Wildcat scoring started with a two-RBI single in the first inning against the Flames.
Fresh off a grand slam in yesterday's opening day win, Rachel Lewis continued her blistering start to the 2022 season. Lewis reached base in six of her nine plate appearances on the day, drawing three walks while adding three hits and three runs scored.
Northwestern wraps up its opening day trip at the inaugural Northern Lights Invitational with a morning matchup against Eastern Kentucky beginning at 8 am CT.
The Wildcats' offense exploded for 13 hits in the 11-2 victory against Akron in the morning game. Then, after just a quick 30-minute turnaround in between games, Danielle Williams tossed a 12-strikeout gem to power the 'Cats to an 8-2 ranked victory over Liberty.
Four-different Wildcats turned in multi-hit performances in the win over Akron, led by first-year Ayana Lindsey who was making her collegiate debut. Lindsey went 3-for-4 at the plate with an RBI and two stolen bases. She added another stolen base later in the afternoon in the win over Liberty.
Lauren Boyd made her season debut in the circle vs. Akron and pitched the opening 2.0 innings, striking out four and stranding the bases loaded in each inning. Lauren Dvorak came in for relief and was lights out, pitching 5.0 innings with four strikeouts and just one earned run en route to her first-career win in the circle.
The Wildcats capitalized on several Akron mistakes early, scoring their first four runs with their work on the basepaths. Holding a 4-1 lead entering the fifth inning, NU broke the game open with a four-spot on the scoreboard, courtesy of a trio of RBI-singles from Hannah Cady, Skyler Shellmyer and Lindsey.
Nikki Cuchran finished the afternoon with three RBI, plating one in the sixth inning vs. Akron and two more via an RBI-single in the first inning vs. Liberty.
Jordyn Rudd also had an impressive showing in both games, finishing with a combined three hits, three runs scored and five RBI. Rudd drove in two runs with a triple vs. Akron and got the Wildcat scoring started with a two-RBI single in the first inning against the Flames.
Fresh off a grand slam in yesterday's opening day win, Rachel Lewis continued her blistering start to the 2022 season. Lewis reached base in six of her nine plate appearances on the day, drawing three walks while adding three hits and three runs scored.
?? | Finishing with a clean dozen!
— Northwestern Softball (@NUSBcats) February 12, 2022
???? ???????????????????? and a complete game for Danielle Williams in our win over #24 Liberty.#GoCats | @NCAASoftball pic.twitter.com/DcnLv5Qcvq
Northwestern wraps up its opening day trip at the inaugural Northern Lights Invitational with a morning matchup against Eastern Kentucky beginning at 8 am CT.
Team Stats
Pitching:
W: Williams, Danielle (2-0)
L: WAGONER, McKenzie (0-1)
Batting:
2B: ROUPE, Rachel 1
HR: ALLAN, Lou 1
RBI: ALLAN, Lou 2
Base Running:
RUNS: HEIDORN, Lilly 1 ; ALLAN, Lou 1

Batting:
2B: Lewis, Rachel 1
RBI: Lewis, Rachel 1 ; Rudd, Jordyn 3 ; Cuchran, Nikki 2
Base Running:
RUNS: Shellmyer, Skyler 3 ; Lewis, Rachel 2 ; Nelson, Maeve 1 ; Rudd, Jordyn 1 ; Zedak, Angela 1
SB: Shellmyer, Skyler 1 ; Stanley, Sammy 1 ; Lindsey, Ayana 1
HBP: Rudd, Jordyn 1 ; Cady, Hannah 1 ; Lindsey, Ayana 1
Game Leaders
Hitting
Players Mentioned
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