Northwestern University Athletics
Northwestern Clinches Third-Consecutive Big Ten Title
5/6/2024 2:08:00 PM | Softball
EVANSTON, Ill. – Northwestern softball clinched the outright Big Ten Title for the third-straight season on the final day of the 2024 regular season. It marks the Wildcats' 10th program title and fifth under Kate and Caryl Drohan.
This is the 'Cats first three-peat since legendary coach Sharon Drysdale led the program to four consecutive titles from 1984-87. The 'Cats also claimed Big Ten Titles in 1982, 2006 and 2008.
Northwestern dominated the conference slate, going 19-3 in Big Ten play while going 8-0 in conference series for the second season in a row. The Wildcats' 16-straight Big Ten series victories dating back to 2023 is Northwestern's longest streak in program history.
In conference play this season, the 'Cats lead the Big Ten in both home runs (40) and slugging percentage (.566). The Wildcats 1.35 home runs per game on the season currently rank 15th in all of Division I softball.
Wildcat pitchers have been remarkable, leading the conference with a team 2.27 ERA, the 17th-lowest mark in the nation. The 'Cats have allowed the fewest walks (122), hits (226), runs (117), and earned runs (91) in the Big Ten.
Graduate student Ashley Miller has put up elite numbers all season, holding the lowest ERA in the conference at 1.34 (29 ER/151.1 IP) and leading all Big Ten pitchers with 12 conference wins. Her five shutouts and four saves also lead the conference, while her .164 opposing batting average is the lowest by a Wildcat pitcher since Danielle Williams during her 2019 All-American campaign (.163). Miller also earned a conference-best four Big Ten Pitcher of the Week honors over the season.
Sophomore Kansas Robinson's bat has been on fire, leading the team with a .409 batting average (4th in the conference), .515 OBP (3rd in the conference), and .773 SLG (3rd in the conference). Her 54 hits, 34 RBI, 11 home runs, 11 doubles, and 102 bases also lead the Wildcats.
Sophomore Kelsey Nader has tallied elite numbers in Big Ten play, with a .518 on base percentage that ranks fourth in the conference and 35 hits that rank second. She also ranks fifth with 22 runs scored and third with 7 stolen bases throughout conference play.
First-Year Emma Raye has started every game but one behind the dish in her debut season and has caught 12 runners stealing, the fourth most in the conference. She's also performed with the bat with 10 home runs (second on the team) and a .488 slugging percentage.
Northwestern was tabbed the No. 1 seed in the 2024 Big Ten Softball Tournament and received a first-round bye. The 'Cats will take on the winner of Purdue vs. Indiana in the Quarterfinals on Thursday at 11 a.m. CT on Big Ten Network in Iowa City, Iowa.
