Northwestern WSB Loses Series To Michigan

The Northwestern Wildcats traveled to Ann Arbor for a big four game series against the University of Michigan. Another excellent performance by Danielle Williams propelled NU to a 4-1 victory to open the series.

The Wildcats got on the board first in the third inning. With Mac Dunlap and Sammy Stanley on base, Rachel Lewis singled, scoring Dunlap.

The Wildcats added three more in the fifth. Danielle Williams, Skyler Shellmyer and Nikki Cuchran all reached base. Jordyn Rudd doubled for two RBIs and Angela Zedak hit a sac fly for the third run of the inning.

Williams only allowed one run on a home run in the sixth to raise her record to 13-2. She struck out six, while walking only one and allowing just two hits.

Saturday did not go as well for the Wildcats. Michigan took both ends fo a doubleheader.

Down 1-0, Maeve Nelson homered with Emma Bartz on in the fourth to put NU on top 2-1. Unfortunately, that would be it for NU.

Lauren Boyd went the distance on the mound, giving up seven runs on eight hits and two walks. She also struck out three. The loss dropped her record to 3-2.

Game two was more of the same, although NU did strike first. In the top of the first, Rudd doubled to score Nelson. Michigan answered with a run in the bottom of the inning. In the third, with Shellmyer on base, Rudd homered putting NU up 3-1. Michigan came back to score five runs and take a 6-3 win.

Williams dropped to 13-3, as she went the distance. She gave up six runs on eight hits, with nine strike outs and three walks.

Michigan took the final game of the series, beating NU 2-0.The story of this game was pitching.

Morgan Newport started and pitched 5.0 innings, giving up two runs on only four hits, with five strike outs and no walks. Sydney Supple relieved to retire one batter. Williams came in to pitch the finl 0.2 inning.

The 2-0 loss dropped NU's record to 22-10. The Wildcats return to action on April 30, when they host the University of Illinois for a four game series.