Northwestern University Athletics
Danielle Williams, Rachel Lewis Win Big Ten Weekly Honors
3/28/2022 2:02:00 PM | Softball
EVANSTON, Ill. – Northwestern's Danielle Williams and Rachel Lewis each won Big Ten Weekly honors following the Wildcats' weekly sweep over Michigan State at Sharon J. Drysdale Field to open the 'Cats' Big Ten season. Williams was named Big Ten Pitcher of the Week for the third time this season, while Lewis took home Big Ten Player of the Week honors for a second time this year.
This marks the second-straight week Williams has taken home the Big Ten Pitcher of the Week honors, following another stellar weekend in the circle in which she went 2-0 with a save and 28 strikeouts. Williams did not allow an earned run all weekend (14.0 IP), extending her streak to 26.0 consecutive innings without allowing an earned run.
Williams allowed just three hits among the 51 batters she faced over the weekend. On Friday, fresh off a no-hitter in her last start vs. Missouri on March 20, she carried a no-hitter into the fifth inning vs. Michigan State before a two-out single snapped a 12.2 inning streak without allowing a hit. Williams finished the game with a career-high 17 strikeouts out of 21 possible outs, the most by an NU pitcher since Lauren Delaney struck out 18 in 2008. Later that day, Williams entered with no outs in the seventh inning and recorded three-straight outs to strand the tying run on base and earn her fifth save of the season in an 8-6 win. During Sunday's 9-1 win over the Spartans, she allowed just two hits while firing nine strikeouts.
Lewis takes home Big Ten Player of the Week honors for the fourth time in her career and the second time this season after leading Northwestern with eight RBI, a 1.111 slugging percentage, two home runs and two stolen bases in the Wildcats' series sweep over Michigan State.
Lewis drove in four RBI in two different games over the weekend. She went 3-for-4 with a three-run homer and two runs scored in an 8-6 win over MSU on Friday while also stealing two bases in as many attempts. During Sunday's win, she scored two runs and hit a "walk-off" grand slam to secure a 9-1 run rule victory over Michigan State on Sunday. Lewis now leads the team with 10 RBI to go along with a .785 slugging percentage and a .475 on-base percentage this season. Sitting at 52 career home runs, she is one homer away from tying Nicole Pauly (2007-10) for the fourth-most in program history and six away from breaking Tammy Williams' record (57) as the program's all-time home run leader.
Up next for the Wildcats will be a three-game showdown in Evanston against the defending Big Ten champions, Michigan. It marks the first time Michigan will play in Evanston since 2011. Games on Friday and Saturday will be televised on Big Ten Network.
This marks the second-straight week Williams has taken home the Big Ten Pitcher of the Week honors, following another stellar weekend in the circle in which she went 2-0 with a save and 28 strikeouts. Williams did not allow an earned run all weekend (14.0 IP), extending her streak to 26.0 consecutive innings without allowing an earned run.
Williams allowed just three hits among the 51 batters she faced over the weekend. On Friday, fresh off a no-hitter in her last start vs. Missouri on March 20, she carried a no-hitter into the fifth inning vs. Michigan State before a two-out single snapped a 12.2 inning streak without allowing a hit. Williams finished the game with a career-high 17 strikeouts out of 21 possible outs, the most by an NU pitcher since Lauren Delaney struck out 18 in 2008. Later that day, Williams entered with no outs in the seventh inning and recorded three-straight outs to strand the tying run on base and earn her fifth save of the season in an 8-6 win. During Sunday's 9-1 win over the Spartans, she allowed just two hits while firing nine strikeouts.
Lewis takes home Big Ten Player of the Week honors for the fourth time in her career and the second time this season after leading Northwestern with eight RBI, a 1.111 slugging percentage, two home runs and two stolen bases in the Wildcats' series sweep over Michigan State.
Lewis drove in four RBI in two different games over the weekend. She went 3-for-4 with a three-run homer and two runs scored in an 8-6 win over MSU on Friday while also stealing two bases in as many attempts. During Sunday's win, she scored two runs and hit a "walk-off" grand slam to secure a 9-1 run rule victory over Michigan State on Sunday. Lewis now leads the team with 10 RBI to go along with a .785 slugging percentage and a .475 on-base percentage this season. Sitting at 52 career home runs, she is one homer away from tying Nicole Pauly (2007-10) for the fourth-most in program history and six away from breaking Tammy Williams' record (57) as the program's all-time home run leader.
Up next for the Wildcats will be a three-game showdown in Evanston against the defending Big Ten champions, Michigan. It marks the first time Michigan will play in Evanston since 2011. Games on Friday and Saturday will be televised on Big Ten Network.
Players Mentioned
IF/OF
/ Softball
P/U
/ SoftballSoftball - Marina Mason Tosses One-Hit Shutout, 'Cats Claim Series Win vs. Minnesota (5/3/26)
Monday, May 04
The Foundation: Northwestern Softball | 2026 Senior Class
Friday, May 01
Softball - Wildcats Open Weekend with 5-1 Win Over Minnesota (5/1/26)
Friday, May 01
Softball - Marina Mason's Complete Game Shutout Fuels a 1-0 Series Sweeping Win at Purdue - 4/26/26
Sunday, April 26
