Northwestern University Athletics
Photo by: Ryan Kuttler/Northwestern Athletics
Marina Mason Named Big Ten Pitcher and Freshman of the Week
5/4/2026 3:32:00 PM | Softball
ROSEMONT, Ill. – Northwestern's Marina Mason took home a pair of Big Ten awards following the last week of the regular season, winning Big Ten Pitcher of the Week and Big Ten Freshman of the Week following two stellar outings against Minnesota.
Mason went 2-0 with two complete games in the circle as the Wildcats earned a series victory over Minnesota, their fourth-straight Big Ten series win. On Sunday, she tossed her 7th complete game shutout of the season, which ranks fifth in the nation and leads all Big Ten pitchers.
The Brentwood, Tennessee native posted a 0.50 ERA (1 ER/14.0 IP) over the weekend and limited Minnesota batters to a .085 opposing batting average in her two appearances. She leads all Big Ten pitchers this season with a .178 opposing batting average, and ranks second in ERA (2.12) behind only Nebraska's Jordy Frahm.
In her first start on Friday, Mason allowed just three hits and one run in 7.0 IP to help Northwestern to a 5-1 victory. The first-year retired eight of the final nine batters she faced to help lock up the win.
Mason followed up that performance with a one-hit shutout in Sunday's 6-0 win. She carried a no-hit bid into the sixth inning and retired 22 of 25 batters faced throughout the game while striking out a career high 12 batters.
Over her last 10 outings to close the regular season, Mason is 10-0 with six complete games, four shutouts, a 1.54 ERA (12 ER/54.2 IP), 62 strikeouts while limiting opposing hitters to a .150 batting average.
Northwestern will head to the University of Maryland for the Big Ten Tournament, opening action on Wednesday evening, with a matchup against No. 11 seed Penn State beginning at 7 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. CT. Action throughout the Big Ten Tournament will be televised live on Big Ten Network.
Big Ten Pitcher of the Week ??
— Northwestern Softball (@NUSBcats) May 4, 2026
Big Ten Freshman of the Week ??
Marina Mason. Remarkable ?? pic.twitter.com/x7HSKDJFp5
Mason went 2-0 with two complete games in the circle as the Wildcats earned a series victory over Minnesota, their fourth-straight Big Ten series win. On Sunday, she tossed her 7th complete game shutout of the season, which ranks fifth in the nation and leads all Big Ten pitchers.
The Brentwood, Tennessee native posted a 0.50 ERA (1 ER/14.0 IP) over the weekend and limited Minnesota batters to a .085 opposing batting average in her two appearances. She leads all Big Ten pitchers this season with a .178 opposing batting average, and ranks second in ERA (2.12) behind only Nebraska's Jordy Frahm.
In her first start on Friday, Mason allowed just three hits and one run in 7.0 IP to help Northwestern to a 5-1 victory. The first-year retired eight of the final nine batters she faced to help lock up the win.
Mason followed up that performance with a one-hit shutout in Sunday's 6-0 win. She carried a no-hit bid into the sixth inning and retired 22 of 25 batters faced throughout the game while striking out a career high 12 batters.
Over her last 10 outings to close the regular season, Mason is 10-0 with six complete games, four shutouts, a 1.54 ERA (12 ER/54.2 IP), 62 strikeouts while limiting opposing hitters to a .150 batting average.
Northwestern will head to the University of Maryland for the Big Ten Tournament, opening action on Wednesday evening, with a matchup against No. 11 seed Penn State beginning at 7 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. CT. Action throughout the Big Ten Tournament will be televised live on Big Ten Network.
Players Mentioned
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/ SoftballSoftball - Marina Mason Tosses One-Hit Shutout, 'Cats Claim Series Win vs. Minnesota (5/3/26)
Monday, May 04
The Foundation: Northwestern Softball | 2026 Senior Class
Friday, May 01
Softball - Wildcats Open Weekend with 5-1 Win Over Minnesota (5/1/26)
Friday, May 01
Softball - Marina Mason's Complete Game Shutout Fuels a 1-0 Series Sweeping Win at Purdue - 4/26/26
Sunday, April 26
