Friday, May 16
Clemson, SC
1 pm CT
Northwestern
30-18-1
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Kentucky
29-27
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Northwestern
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Kentucky
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Photo by: Mary Grace Grabill/Northwestern Athletics
Lauren Boyd Tosses Complete Game Shutout, 'Cats Blank Kentucky in NCAA Regional
5/16/2025 6:43:00 PM | Softball
CLEMSON, SC – Northwestern opened postseason play with a 4-0 win over Kentucky to advance in the double elimination bracket of the Clemson Regional.
The Wildcats will face off with Clemson on Saturday at 12:30 pm CT. The winner will advance to Sunday's regional final, while the loser will play on Saturday evening against either Kentucky or USC-Upstate.
Lauren Boyd turned in a gem in the circle, throwing a complete game shutout while allowing just six hits and striking out four. It was Boyd's fifth-career postseason appearance (and third against Kentucky) in what marked 720 days since her last postseason outing in 2023.
Boyd is the first Wildcat to throw a complete game shutout in the postseason since Danielle Williams vs. Eastern Illinois on May 19, 2023. She is the first Wildcat to throw a complete game shutout away from home in the NCAA Tournament since Amy Letourneau defeated No. 6 Texas, 2-0, on May 18, 2012.
Kansas Robinson got the Wildcats on the board in the top of the fifth inning, breaking a scoreless tie with a two-out, two-RBI double to put the Wildcats in front, 2-0. Robinson leads the team this season with a career-high 40 RBI.
Kaylie Avvisato turned in a multi-hit performance in her NCAA Tournament debut, going 2-for-3 with a walk while driving in two RBI in the sixth inning. Kelsey Nader also turned in a multi-hit effort–her team-leading 17th of the season–going 2-for-4 with a run scored. Nader holds a .300 career postseason batting average (10-for-30) in 11 career games.
Northwestern improves to 14-4 in its first game of each NCAA Touranment its qualified for under Drohan.
Gallery: (5-16-2025) Softball - NCAA Regional vs. Kentucky
The Wildcats will face off with Clemson on Saturday at 12:30 pm CT. The winner will advance to Sunday's regional final, while the loser will play on Saturday evening against either Kentucky or USC-Upstate.
Lauren Boyd turned in a gem in the circle, throwing a complete game shutout while allowing just six hits and striking out four. It was Boyd's fifth-career postseason appearance (and third against Kentucky) in what marked 720 days since her last postseason outing in 2023.
Boyd is the first Wildcat to throw a complete game shutout in the postseason since Danielle Williams vs. Eastern Illinois on May 19, 2023. She is the first Wildcat to throw a complete game shutout away from home in the NCAA Tournament since Amy Letourneau defeated No. 6 Texas, 2-0, on May 18, 2012.
Kansas Robinson got the Wildcats on the board in the top of the fifth inning, breaking a scoreless tie with a two-out, two-RBI double to put the Wildcats in front, 2-0. Robinson leads the team this season with a career-high 40 RBI.
Kaylie Avvisato turned in a multi-hit performance in her NCAA Tournament debut, going 2-for-3 with a walk while driving in two RBI in the sixth inning. Kelsey Nader also turned in a multi-hit effort–her team-leading 17th of the season–going 2-for-4 with a run scored. Nader holds a .300 career postseason batting average (10-for-30) in 11 career games.
Northwestern improves to 14-4 in its first game of each NCAA Touranment its qualified for under Drohan.
Team Stats
Pitching:
W: Boyd, Lauren (15-4)
L: Fall, C (6-8)
Batting:
2B: Robinson, Kansas 1 ; Raye, Emma 1
RBI: Avvisato, Kaylie 2 ; Robinson, Kansas 2
Base Running:
RUNS: Nieto, Grace 1 ; Nader, Kelsey 1 ; Lindsey, Ayana 1 ; Donahey, Bridget 1
SB: Nader, Kelsey 1
Game Leaders
Hitting
AB
3
R
0
H
2
RBI
2
AB
4
R
1
H
2
RBI
0
AB
4
R
1
H
1
RBI
0
AB
3
R
0
H
1
RBI
2
Players Mentioned
IF
/ Softball
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/ SoftballOF
/ SoftballIF
/ SoftballSoftball - Lauren Boyd Tosses Complete Game Shutout, 'Cats Blank Kentucky in NCAA Regional (5/16/25)
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Sunday, May 04
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Saturday, May 03
Softball - Kaylie Avvisato Hits Walk-Off Home Run, 'Cats Take Series vs. Wisconsin (4/27/25)
Sunday, April 27
