Northwestern University Athletics
Marina Mason Named Big Ten Freshman of the Week
3/23/2026 4:56:00 PM | Softball
ROSEMONT, Ill. – Northwestern Softball's Marina Mason was named the Big Ten Freshman of the Week, the conference announced on Monday. The weekly honors come following a dominant showing this past weekend as the Wildcats swept their three-game road series at Illinois, capped off by Mason throwing her first collegiate no-hitter in Sunday's 5-0 win over their in-state rival.
Mason finished the weekend 2-0 in the circle with two completes games, a 0.50 ERA (1 ER/14.0 IP) and a .044 opponent batting average while striking out 10. In total, she allowed just two hits across 50 batters faced in her two appearances.
During Friday's 6-1 win to open the series, the Brentwood, Tennessee native carried a no-hitter into the seventh inning before a one-out single broke up the bid. In her very next outing on Sunday, Mason tossed her first-career no-hitter in a 7.0 inning gem, throwing 111 pitches while striking out three batters en route to a 5-0 victory to secure the weekend sweep.
Mason's no-hitter on Sunday marked Northwestern's 54th no-hitter in program history, as well as the first in conference play since 2021 (Danielle Williams at Iowa). It also marks the first by an NU first year since 2011 (Sammy Albanese in 5.0 innings at Saint Mary's) and first 7.0 inning no-hitter by an NU rookie since 2007 (Lauren Delaney vs. Illinois). The Brentwood, Tennessee native is the first Northwestern pitcher to throw multiple 7.0 inning complete games in a conference series weekend since 2024 Big Ten Pitcher of the Year Ashley Miller did so in 2024 (April 12-14 vs. Maryland).
Mason currently leads the Wildcat pitching staff in wins (6), ERA (2.30) and batting average against (.179), while her six complete games on the season now rank third among Big Ten pitchers. The rookie right-hander also sits in the top-10 in the conference in ERA (2.30; 7th), hits allowed per seven innings (4.60; 3rd) and total strikeouts (72; 8th). She is the first Northwestern player to take home Freshman of the Week honors since Emma Raye did so on May 6, 2024.
Next on the schedule, Northwestern will open its home slate at The Ballpark at Rosemont with six-straight games, beginning with a three-game series vs. No. 16 Oregon starting on Thursday, March 26. First pitch is scheduled for 7 pm CT on Big Ten Network.
First-Year Phenom ????
— Northwestern Softball (@NUSBcats) March 23, 2026
Marina Mason is your Big Ten Freshman of the Week! #GoCats | #BeRemarkable pic.twitter.com/uXOc43Wkh5
Mason finished the weekend 2-0 in the circle with two completes games, a 0.50 ERA (1 ER/14.0 IP) and a .044 opponent batting average while striking out 10. In total, she allowed just two hits across 50 batters faced in her two appearances.
During Friday's 6-1 win to open the series, the Brentwood, Tennessee native carried a no-hitter into the seventh inning before a one-out single broke up the bid. In her very next outing on Sunday, Mason tossed her first-career no-hitter in a 7.0 inning gem, throwing 111 pitches while striking out three batters en route to a 5-0 victory to secure the weekend sweep.
Mason's no-hitter on Sunday marked Northwestern's 54th no-hitter in program history, as well as the first in conference play since 2021 (Danielle Williams at Iowa). It also marks the first by an NU first year since 2011 (Sammy Albanese in 5.0 innings at Saint Mary's) and first 7.0 inning no-hitter by an NU rookie since 2007 (Lauren Delaney vs. Illinois). The Brentwood, Tennessee native is the first Northwestern pitcher to throw multiple 7.0 inning complete games in a conference series weekend since 2024 Big Ten Pitcher of the Year Ashley Miller did so in 2024 (April 12-14 vs. Maryland).
Etched in Northwestern history ????
— Northwestern Softball (@NUSBcats) March 22, 2026
?? 54th no-hitter in program history
?? First in a conference game since 2021
?? First by an NU first-year since 2011.
Take a bow, Marina Mason ?? pic.twitter.com/sYObz5cudM
Mason currently leads the Wildcat pitching staff in wins (6), ERA (2.30) and batting average against (.179), while her six complete games on the season now rank third among Big Ten pitchers. The rookie right-hander also sits in the top-10 in the conference in ERA (2.30; 7th), hits allowed per seven innings (4.60; 3rd) and total strikeouts (72; 8th). She is the first Northwestern player to take home Freshman of the Week honors since Emma Raye did so on May 6, 2024.
Next on the schedule, Northwestern will open its home slate at The Ballpark at Rosemont with six-straight games, beginning with a three-game series vs. No. 16 Oregon starting on Thursday, March 26. First pitch is scheduled for 7 pm CT on Big Ten Network.
Players Mentioned
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/ Softball
Softball - Marina Mason Throws No-Hitter, 'Cats Secure Series Sweep at Illinois (3/22/26)
Sunday, March 22
Softball - Wildcats Erupt in 19-5 Run-Rule Win, Capture Series Victory at Illinois (3/21/26)
Saturday, March 21
Softball - Wildcats Open Series at Illinois with 6-1 Win Behind Marina Mason Complete Game (3/20/26)
Saturday, March 21
Softball - Marina Mason Tosses Complete Game Shutout, 'Cats Blank Missouri in Clearwater (2/14/26)
Saturday, February 14
