Friday, May 3
Evanston, Ill.
4 p.m. CT
Northwestern
vs
Indiana
First Place 'Cats Return Home for Final Regular Season Series
5/2/2024 8:56:00 PM | Softball
EVANSTON, Ill. – Northwestern is back home this weekend for its last series of the regular season against Indiana. The 'Cats are in a pennant race with Michigan and control their own destiny to win the Big Ten regular season title.
The Wildcats and Hoosiers open the series at 4:00 p.m. CT on Friday, followed by a Saturday afternoon Alumni Day matchup at 1:00 p.m. CT, and the series finale on Senior Day at 2:00 p.m. CT on Sunday. Friday and Sunday's games will air on BTN while Saturday's will stream on B1G+. Tickets are still available for all three games.
The 'Cats are 17-2 in conference play and sit atop the league standings, holding a half-game lead over Michigan. The Wildcats are looking for their third consecutive Big Ten Conference Championship, marking the first program three-peat since coach Sharon Drysdale led the 'Cats to four consecutive titles from 1984-87.
Northwestern looks to extend the longest home winning streak in all of Division I Softball this weekend at Sharon J. Drysdale Field. The 'Cats are undefeated in their last 37 home games, a streak dating back to April 3, 2022.
The Wildcats' 56-9 record since the beginning of 2022 is the best in the conference. They've won 15-straight conference series, going 7-0 this year plus all eight last year, the longest Big Ten series winning streak in program history.
Cami Henry went the distance on Saturday, tossing a complete game for the Wildcats, allowing only one run on five hits while striking out three. Her outing was just 99 pitches and featured a three-pitch seventh inning to grab the win for the 'Cats. The Northwestern pitching staff holds the lowest team ERA in the conference, sitting at 2.16.
Kansas Robinson got the 'Cats on the board last Friday at Nebraska with a solo homer to center field, and ultimately led the team in slugging percentage at .833 over the weekend. Her numbers light up the board, leading the 'Cats in batting average (.418), hits (51), home runs (11), and RBI (34). Robinson currently ranks second in the Big Ten in batting average and on-base percentage (.523, also 22nd in the nation).
Kelsey Nader hit .500 in Lincoln and led Northwestern with four hits and five runs scored. Nader's bat has been hot down the conference stretch, leading the team with 30 hits over her 19 B1G games. Nader's .469 batting average in conference play ranks second among all Big Ten players (READ MORE: 'Visualizing softball through the numbers: it's time to talk about Kelsey Nader).
Angela Zedak got the 'Cats' scoring started on Saturday at Nebraska with a two-out two-RBI single to left field that scored Nader and Robinson. Her 29 RBI this season are second-most behind Robinson's 34. Zedak's name is already etched in the record book, as her 36 career home runs are 11th all-time for a Wildcat–she's just three away from tying Marisa Bast (2011-14) for 10th all-time.
Northwestern leads the all-time series vs. Indiana 75-38. Following the end of the regular season, the Wildcats will head to the Big Ten Softball Tournament next week in Iowa City, Iowa.
The Wildcats and Hoosiers open the series at 4:00 p.m. CT on Friday, followed by a Saturday afternoon Alumni Day matchup at 1:00 p.m. CT, and the series finale on Senior Day at 2:00 p.m. CT on Sunday. Friday and Sunday's games will air on BTN while Saturday's will stream on B1G+. Tickets are still available for all three games.
The 'Cats are 17-2 in conference play and sit atop the league standings, holding a half-game lead over Michigan. The Wildcats are looking for their third consecutive Big Ten Conference Championship, marking the first program three-peat since coach Sharon Drysdale led the 'Cats to four consecutive titles from 1984-87.
Northwestern looks to extend the longest home winning streak in all of Division I Softball this weekend at Sharon J. Drysdale Field. The 'Cats are undefeated in their last 37 home games, a streak dating back to April 3, 2022.
The Wildcats' 56-9 record since the beginning of 2022 is the best in the conference. They've won 15-straight conference series, going 7-0 this year plus all eight last year, the longest Big Ten series winning streak in program history.
Cami Henry went the distance on Saturday, tossing a complete game for the Wildcats, allowing only one run on five hits while striking out three. Her outing was just 99 pitches and featured a three-pitch seventh inning to grab the win for the 'Cats. The Northwestern pitching staff holds the lowest team ERA in the conference, sitting at 2.16.
Kansas Robinson got the 'Cats on the board last Friday at Nebraska with a solo homer to center field, and ultimately led the team in slugging percentage at .833 over the weekend. Her numbers light up the board, leading the 'Cats in batting average (.418), hits (51), home runs (11), and RBI (34). Robinson currently ranks second in the Big Ten in batting average and on-base percentage (.523, also 22nd in the nation).
Kelsey Nader hit .500 in Lincoln and led Northwestern with four hits and five runs scored. Nader's bat has been hot down the conference stretch, leading the team with 30 hits over her 19 B1G games. Nader's .469 batting average in conference play ranks second among all Big Ten players (READ MORE: 'Visualizing softball through the numbers: it's time to talk about Kelsey Nader).
Angela Zedak got the 'Cats' scoring started on Saturday at Nebraska with a two-out two-RBI single to left field that scored Nader and Robinson. Her 29 RBI this season are second-most behind Robinson's 34. Zedak's name is already etched in the record book, as her 36 career home runs are 11th all-time for a Wildcat–she's just three away from tying Marisa Bast (2011-14) for 10th all-time.
Northwestern leads the all-time series vs. Indiana 75-38. Following the end of the regular season, the Wildcats will head to the Big Ten Softball Tournament next week in Iowa City, Iowa.
Players Mentioned
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