Sunday, February 27
Palm Desert, CA
10:45 a.m. CT

Northwestern

10-4

2
vs
4

Texas Tech

5-10

1
2
3
4
5
6
7
R
H
E
Northwestern
0
0
0
0
0
0
2
2
4
1
Texas Tech
0
0
2
1
1
0
X
4
6
1
maeve nelson

Wildcats Wrap Up Solid Weekend at Mary Nutter Classic

2/27/2022 1:07:00 PM | Softball

PALM DESERT, Calif. – No. 18 Northwestern finished the weekend with a 3-2 record at the prestigious Mary Nutter Classic after falling to Texas Tech, 4-2, in Sunday's finale.
 
First-year Grace Nieto crushed the first home run of her career in the seventh inning to put Northwestern on the board, but the 'Cats couldn't complete the late comeback.  
Lauren Boyd got the start for the Wildcats, allowing two earned runs over three solid innings. Danielle Williams replaced Boyd in the fourth inning and was terrific yet again, allowing just one run and one hit in three innings, striking out five.
 
Williams was sensational the entire weekend. The senior appeared in all five games, allowing just one run in 20.0 innings pitched. Williams struck out 23 batters compared to just five walks and five hits allowed. The Pleasanton, Calif. native earned the win against No. 9 Oregon, San Diego State, and No. 5 Washington. She was the winning pitcher in all five of Northwestern's ranked wins this season. Williams has posted a sensational 0.95 ERA and 80 strikeouts through 59.0 innings this year.
 
Northwestern's weekend trip to California is highlighted by two 1-0 wins over top-10 opponents, downing No. 9 Oregon on Friday and No. 5 Washington on Saturday. The 'Cats have now beaten five top-25 teams this year and three top-10 opponents, including No. 3 UCLA last Friday.
 
Chicago's Big Ten Team is back in action next weekend, as they travel down to Carbondale for a five-game slate at the Southern Illinois Invitational.
 

Team Stats

Pitching:

W: Fritz,Kendall (4-3)

L: Boyd, Lauren (0-1)

Northwestern LogoNorthwestern

Batting:

HR: Nieto, Grace 1

RBI: Nieto, Grace 2

Base Running:

RUNS: Cady, Hannah 1 ; Nieto, Grace 1

HBP: Lewis, Rachel 1 ; Cady, Hannah 1 ; Peterson, Kendall 1

Texas Tech LogoTexas Tech

Batting:

2B: Jackson,Payton 1 ; Blythe,Peyton 1

RBI: Jackson,Payton 1 ; Bailey,Ellie 1 ; Ehlen,Riley 1 ; Orrick,Abbie 1

SH: Grumbo,Molly 1

SF: Ehlen,Riley 1

Base Running:

RUNS: Jackson,Payton 2 ; Mindedahl,Page 1 ; Blythe,Peyton 1

HBP: Armijo,Carson 1

Game Leaders

AB
3
R
0
H
1
RBI
0
AB
3
R
0
H
1
RBI
0
AB
4
R
0
H
1
RBI
0
AB
3
R
1
H
1
RBI
2

Players Mentioned

P/IF
/ Softball
IF
/ Softball
Softball - Lauren Boyd Tosses Complete Game Shutout, 'Cats Blank Kentucky in NCAA Regional (5/16/25)
Friday, May 16
Softball - 'Cats Storm Back, Secure Series Victory at No. 8 UCLA (5/4/25)
Sunday, May 04
Softball - 'Cats Earn 8-0 Run-Rule Win at No. 8 UCLA (5/2/25)
Saturday, May 03
Softball - Kaylie Avvisato Hits Walk-Off Home Run, 'Cats Take Series vs. Wisconsin (4/27/25)
Sunday, April 27