NU WSB Splits Series With Illinois

The Northwestern Wildcats hosted the University of Illinois, their interstate and Big Ten rivals, for a four game series. The teams traded wins and split the series.

The Fighting Illini got off to a good start Friday, taking a 4-0 lead heading into the fifth. Northwestern broke through when Hannah Cady and Skyler Shellmyer singled and were driven in by a Rachel Lewis double. Unfortunately, that was the end of the scoring and the Wildcats lost 4-2.

Danielle Williams went the distance, allowing eight hits with 10 strikeouts and no walks.

On Saturday, the teams split a doubleheader. The Wildcats took the first game with a dramatic come from behind victory capped by a walkoff home run.

The game started rough for the Wildcats, as they were already down 4-0 heading into the bottom of the third. Skyler Shellmyers triple scored pinchrunner Emma Bartz to start the rally. Rachel Lewis doubled to score Shellmyer, then scored on a Morgan Newport triple to make it 4-3.

The Fighting Illini came back with two I the fifth, but NU answered with two in the sixth. Maeve Nelson homered to start the comeback. Ashley Schultz walked and scored on a Nikki Cuchran double.

NU completed the comeback in the seventh starting with a Rachel Lewis single. Newport than crushed one over the wall for the 7-6 win.

Supple was excellent in relief, allowing only one hit in 2.2 shutout innings. She improved her record to 3-1.

Things didn't go as great for NU in the second game. There was no magical walkoff, as they lost 3-2.

Illinois scored two in the first, but Lewis homered in the bottom of the inning to make it 2-1. NU added two more in the third, when Lewis crushed another one with Rudd on base to take a 3-2 lead. Unfortunately, it was the Illini who scored two in the seventh this time to seal a 4-3 win.

Supple went the distance, allowing six hits, while striking out one and walking one. She is now 3-2.

Northwestern fell behind 3-0 in the first inning. After that rough start, it was all Northwestern.

In the second inning, Maeve Nelson led off with a double. Hannah Cady doubled for the RBI and scored as Williams reached on an error.

NU scored three in the third, starting with a Lewis single. Rudd doubled to advance Lewis and Newport drove her in with a sac fly. Cady homered to make it 5-3. Lewis homered in the fifth for the final run.

Williams dominated after the rough start. She finished with 1- strikeouts, allowing just six hits and no walks. She is 14-4 on the season.

Over the weekend, NU honored the senior class of 2020. Eva Stees (#16) and Kaley Winegarner (#30). The two players received their framed jerseys in an onfield ceremony.

Northwestern returns to action this Friday with a four game weekend series at Purdue. At 24-12, the Wildcats are in third place in the Big Ten Conference, trailing Michigan and Minnesota.