Northwestern University Athletics
Saturday, May 27
Tuscaloosa, Ala.
8 pm CT
Northwestern
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at
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#5 Alabama
Wildcats to Play Game 3 at Alabama for Spot in Women's College World Series
5/28/2023 12:31:00 AM | Softball
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – Northwestern will play a winner-take-all Game Three at Alabama to close out the Tuscaloosa Super Regional. The winner earns the last ticket to the 2023 Women's College World Series.
First pitch will be at 3 pm CT, with action live on ESPN.
After jumping ahead in the series with a 3-1 victory on Friday, Northwestern dropped a narrow 2-1 setback to Alabama on Saturday evening. The Crimson Tide struck first with a lead-off double in the top of the first inning that eventually came around to score via a sacrifice fly. After knocking on the door with opportunities several times, Northwestern finally broke through and tied the game in the bottom of the fifth inning as Jordyn Rudd drove in Skyler Shellmyer to even the score at 1-1. Tied heading into the seventh inning, Alabama grabbed the lead for good with a one-out single by Ashley Prange.
Lauren Boyd started in the circle for the Wildcats and allowed just one run and two hits in 3.2 innings of work, striking out two including the final batter she faced on a 10-pitch at-bat to help prevent a runner on third from scoring. Danielle Williams entered in relief and allowed four hits and one run in 3.1 innings of work.
The Wildcats were led at the dish by Rudd and Hannah Cady, each of whom tallied two hits on the game. Rudd is now hitting .588 (10-for-17) in five games of this year's NCAA Tournament to go along with a team-leading six RBI. Her fifth inning RBI today also marked the 201st RBI of her career, just six away from tying Garland Cooper's (2004-07) program record of 207 all-time RBI.
Northwestern is looking to become just the third team ever to win back-to-back Super Regionals on the road in consecutive years (also Arizona in 2021-22 and LSU in 2016-17). A win on Sunday also marks the Wildcats' seventh Women's College World Series appearance and fourth under Kate Drohan and Caryl Drohan.
First pitch will be at 3 pm CT, with action live on ESPN.
Winner-take-all Game 3:
— Northwestern Softball (@NUSBcats) May 28, 2023
3 pm CT. ESPN. pic.twitter.com/c0jxoHTgQ6
After jumping ahead in the series with a 3-1 victory on Friday, Northwestern dropped a narrow 2-1 setback to Alabama on Saturday evening. The Crimson Tide struck first with a lead-off double in the top of the first inning that eventually came around to score via a sacrifice fly. After knocking on the door with opportunities several times, Northwestern finally broke through and tied the game in the bottom of the fifth inning as Jordyn Rudd drove in Skyler Shellmyer to even the score at 1-1. Tied heading into the seventh inning, Alabama grabbed the lead for good with a one-out single by Ashley Prange.
Lauren Boyd started in the circle for the Wildcats and allowed just one run and two hits in 3.2 innings of work, striking out two including the final batter she faced on a 10-pitch at-bat to help prevent a runner on third from scoring. Danielle Williams entered in relief and allowed four hits and one run in 3.1 innings of work.
The Wildcats were led at the dish by Rudd and Hannah Cady, each of whom tallied two hits on the game. Rudd is now hitting .588 (10-for-17) in five games of this year's NCAA Tournament to go along with a team-leading six RBI. Her fifth inning RBI today also marked the 201st RBI of her career, just six away from tying Garland Cooper's (2004-07) program record of 207 all-time RBI.
Northwestern is looking to become just the third team ever to win back-to-back Super Regionals on the road in consecutive years (also Arizona in 2021-22 and LSU in 2016-17). A win on Sunday also marks the Wildcats' seventh Women's College World Series appearance and fourth under Kate Drohan and Caryl Drohan.
Players Mentioned
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P/U
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