DΓ©jΓ vu.
No. 22 Northwestern softball (6-6, 0-0 B1G) went 2-2 at the Mary Nutter Classic this weekend, going .500 for the third weekend in a row. The Wildcats dropped their first two games to No. 20 Oregon (13-3, 0-0 PAC-12) and No 2. UCLA (17-1, 0-0 PAC-12) before picking up wins against No. 17 Kentucky (10-3-1, 1-0 SEC) and San Diego (3-14, 0-0 WCC).
Game One β Oregon 2, Northwestern 1
Let's do this. Underway at the @NutterClassic!
β Northwestern Softball (@NUSBcats) February 24, 2023
π #22 Oregon
π https://t.co/7DOP74v3wr
πΊ @FloSoftball
π² https://t.co/YEbBIJA9vh#GoCats | #BeRemarkable pic.twitter.com/Ae892dUBIa
Third-year pitcher Lauren Boyd pitched a complete game and struck out five, but an RBI single from graduate second baseman Allee Bunker in the top of the seventh would be the final blow.
BUNK-STAR!!!@Allee_Bunker comes through with an RBI single and the Ducks take the lead!
β Oregon Softball (@OregonSB) February 24, 2023
M7 | Ducks 2, Northwestern 1
πΊ https://t.co/HNqoXjQoZH#GoDucks | #Version5 pic.twitter.com/C504BTlZ4D
Graduate catcher Jordyn Rudd hit her first homer of the season to tie the game in the fourth, but she was just one of four Wildcats to get a hit against second-year pitcher Stevie Hansen, who pitched a complete game and struck out five.
Party at home plate, @jordynrudd63 is invited π₯³
β Northwestern Softball (@NUSBcats) February 24, 2023
Her first homer of 2023 evens us up!#GoCats | #BeRemarkable | @FloSoftball pic.twitter.com/Snb1Co9vkB
Game Two β UCLA 2, Northwestern 1
Classic @B1GSoftball matchup ππΌ
β Northwestern Softball (@NUSBcats) February 25, 2023
π #1 UCLA
π https://t.co/wcOSMxnrR0
πΊ @FloSoftball
π² https://t.co/YEbBIJA9vh#GoCats | #BeRemarkable pic.twitter.com/wh1CUTF2gy
Fourth-year pitcher Sydney Supple got the start, and while she only allowed one earned run in four innings, that was all UCLA needed. Graduate pitcher Cami Henry shutout the last two innings, allowing just one hit and striking out one.
ππ¨ππ¨ launches the second bomb by a Bruin freshman today! π£
β UCLA Softball (@UCLASoftball) February 26, 2023
π»: FloSoftball
π²: https://t.co/BFWU9crCbj #GoBruins | @jordanwooleryy pic.twitter.com/w669KUXDo0
UCLA graduate pitcher Brooke Yanez pitched a complete game, striking out five, allowing just two hits and retiring 17 batters in a row.
SEVENTEEN IN A ROW!!
β UCLA Softball (@UCLASoftball) February 26, 2023
π»: FloSoftball
π²: https://t.co/BFWU9crCbj #GoBruins pic.twitter.com/sw2LcAsNPo
Rudd would hit another homer in the seventh to bring the deficit to one, but it was just too late for the βCats to rally.
Jordyn Rudd. RBI Machine.
β Northwestern Softball (@NUSBcats) February 26, 2023
Make that two homers on the weekend at the @NutterClassic!#GoCats | #BeRemarkable | @FloSoftball pic.twitter.com/QNewEDaruP
Game Three β Northwestern 9, Kentucky 3
Time for some Saturday Night Crazy.
β Northwestern Softball (@NUSBcats) February 26, 2023
π #18 Kentucky
π₯ 8:35 pm CT
π https://t.co/asuKdmyoar
πΊ @FloSoftball
π² https://t.co/YEbBIJA9vh#GoCats | #BeRemarkable pic.twitter.com/L1LOimNnDS
After going down 2-1 early, graduate center fielder Skyler Shellmyer hit an RBI single in the fourth to start a four-run rally. Shellmyer went 3-for-5 with two RBI.
Fire. Us. UP π₯β¬οΈ
β Northwestern Softball (@NUSBcats) February 26, 2023
4οΈβ£ spot in the top of the fourth after @skymy08 jumpstarts a two-out rally!#GoCats | #BeRemarkable | @FloSoftball pic.twitter.com/QO3D0SxXoO
The Wildcats followed up the four-run fourth with a four-run fifth inning to seal the deal, including a two-RBI single from graduate shortstop Maeve Nelson on her only hit of the game.
Maeve Nelson RBI-single: Good
β Northwestern Softball (@NUSBcats) February 26, 2023
The π celebration: Even Better π#GoCats | #BeRemarkable | @FloSoftball pic.twitter.com/TLyh1pehBN
Graduate pitcher Danielle Williams started the game for Northwestern, and she shut the game down. Williams pitched a complete game, striking out seven and allowing only one earned run to get NU its first victory of the weekend.
1οΈβ£-2οΈβ£-3οΈβ£
β Northwestern Softball (@NUSBcats) February 26, 2023
Danielle Williams catches two looking, and we're on to the fifth!#GoCats | #BeRemarkable | @FloSoftball pic.twitter.com/GL9eccJRrz
Game Four β Northwestern 2, San Diego 1
Lock in for the weekend finale π
β Northwestern Softball (@NUSBcats) February 26, 2023
π San Diego
π https://t.co/YGhdNVP51t
πΊ @FloSoftball
π² https://t.co/YEbBIJA9vh#GoCats | #BeRemarkable pic.twitter.com/VMLGrvqKlL
Cami Henry returned to the circle to start the weekend finale, and held San Diego to just three hits in six innings. Williams finished the game, earning her first save of the season and striking out two in the seventh.
Cami Henry throws just 8 pitches in first inning, striking out βοΈ!
β Northwestern Softball (@NUSBcats) February 26, 2023
πΉ @FloSoftball
T2 | NU 0, USD 0 pic.twitter.com/kcFX8C4kce
The Wildcats didnβt fare much better than the Toreros on offense, but a two-run homer from fourth-year left fielder Angela Zedak would prove to be enough to get the win.
That @angg_zedakk_9 power>>>
β Northwestern Softball (@NUSBcats) February 26, 2023
'Cats on top! πͺπ₯#GoCats | #BeRemarkable | @FloSoftball pic.twitter.com/PQhtiovrXc
While the Wildcats were able to end the weekend on a high note, offensive consistency is something to watch in the future. Northwestern currently averages 6.8 runs in its wins, and just 1.2 runs in losses. Being able to shake off cold streaks in the middle of games could turn the tide and bring NU a few more dubs, especially considering that the pitching staff averaged just one earned run per game last weekend.
Next up for the βCats is the Cardinal Classic in Louisville, where theyβll take on Toledo (2-7, 0-0 MAC), Louisville (12-4, 0-0 ACC), and Northern Kentucky (3-7, 0-0 Horizon).
Inspiring the next generation π₯π#NCAASoftball x π₯ @NUSBcats pic.twitter.com/xFibfjY17C
β NCAA Softball (@NCAASoftball) February 27, 2023