Northwestern University Athletics
Wildcats' Opening Weekend Game vs. No. 5 Tennessee to be Televised on MLB Network
1/23/2025 4:50:00 PM | Softball
EVANSTON, Ill. – Northwestern's matchup with Tennessee in the NFCA Division I Leadoff Classic will be televised live on MLB Network, the NFCA announced on Thursday. The 'Cats, ranked 20th in the preseason ESPN.com/USA Softball poll, take on the No. 5 ranked Lady Vols, at 6 p.m. CT on Saturday, February 8th.
As part of the Leadoff Classic, Northwestern will also face Kennesaw State and Missouri on February 7th, Duke at 3 p.m. CT on February 8th, and Southern Mississippi on February 9th. Those games will be available to stream for free on the GameChanger app, which can be downloaded here.
Northwestern's matchup with Tennessee is one of three matchups to be picked up for a live broadcast on MLB Network, with Missouri and Duke (12 pm CT) as well as Nebraska and Texas Tech (3 pm CT) facing off on the network beforehand.
The Wildcats gear up for 2025 on the heels of a strong 2024 season, capturing their third straight Big Ten regular season title, while making their sixth straight NCAA Tournament appearance. The 'Cats advanced to the Austin Regional Final, where they fell to eventual national runner-up No. 1 seed Texas.
Northwestern boasts a strong cast of returners, including seven of nine batters in the starting lineup, who accounted for nearly 80% of the Wildcats' hits and 85% of runs batted in. The Wildcat offense is led by juniors Kansas Robinson and Kelsey Nader, who both earned All-American and First Team All-Big Ten honors in 2024. Robinson ranked first on the team in average (.383), home runs (11), and RBI (36). She also opened the season with a 34-game on-base streak, the fifth longest in Big Ten History. Nader finished with a .473 average in Big Ten play, second in the conference, and led the team in hits (57) and runs scored (41).
The Wildcats also bring back sophomore Emma Raye, who received All-Big Ten Freshman Team and Defensive Team honors in her first year. Raye will catch a strong staff of returning pitchers, including graduate student Lauren Boyd and sophomores Renae Cunningham and Riley Grudzielanek.
Northwestern head coach Kate Drohan returns after capturing her sixth Big Ten Coach of the Year award in 2024, her fourth in the last five seasons. Entering her 24th season in 2025, Drohan will surpass her predecessor, Sharon Drysdale, as the longest-tenured head coach in program history. Drohan and her twin sister, associate head coach Caryl Drohan, are Northwestern's all-time wins leaders with 780 victories, the fourth-most in Big Ten history.
As part of the Leadoff Classic, Northwestern will also face Kennesaw State and Missouri on February 7th, Duke at 3 p.m. CT on February 8th, and Southern Mississippi on February 9th. Those games will be available to stream for free on the GameChanger app, which can be downloaded here.
Northwestern's matchup with Tennessee is one of three matchups to be picked up for a live broadcast on MLB Network, with Missouri and Duke (12 pm CT) as well as Nebraska and Texas Tech (3 pm CT) facing off on the network beforehand.
The Wildcats gear up for 2025 on the heels of a strong 2024 season, capturing their third straight Big Ten regular season title, while making their sixth straight NCAA Tournament appearance. The 'Cats advanced to the Austin Regional Final, where they fell to eventual national runner-up No. 1 seed Texas.
Northwestern boasts a strong cast of returners, including seven of nine batters in the starting lineup, who accounted for nearly 80% of the Wildcats' hits and 85% of runs batted in. The Wildcat offense is led by juniors Kansas Robinson and Kelsey Nader, who both earned All-American and First Team All-Big Ten honors in 2024. Robinson ranked first on the team in average (.383), home runs (11), and RBI (36). She also opened the season with a 34-game on-base streak, the fifth longest in Big Ten History. Nader finished with a .473 average in Big Ten play, second in the conference, and led the team in hits (57) and runs scored (41).
The Wildcats also bring back sophomore Emma Raye, who received All-Big Ten Freshman Team and Defensive Team honors in her first year. Raye will catch a strong staff of returning pitchers, including graduate student Lauren Boyd and sophomores Renae Cunningham and Riley Grudzielanek.
Northwestern head coach Kate Drohan returns after capturing her sixth Big Ten Coach of the Year award in 2024, her fourth in the last five seasons. Entering her 24th season in 2025, Drohan will surpass her predecessor, Sharon Drysdale, as the longest-tenured head coach in program history. Drohan and her twin sister, associate head coach Caryl Drohan, are Northwestern's all-time wins leaders with 780 victories, the fourth-most in Big Ten history.
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