April 4, 2001
EVANSTON, Ill. -
The Northwestern softball team opened its home season Wednesday in a doubleheader against Northern Illinois. The `Cats swept the Huskies in shutout games, 3-0 and 8-0, with the second game ending in the bottom of the fifth inning because of the eight-run rule.
In the first game, the Wildcats and Huskies remained scoreless through four innings, before sophomore Andria Caruthers (Inglewood, Calif./Westchester) doubled to open the bottom of the fifth inning. She then advanced to third on a wild pitch and scored on an error by the catcher.
The 'Cats gave themselves insurance in the sixth, as junior Erin Jancic's (Houston, Texas/Alief Elsik) double down the leftfield line was followed by sophomore Alyson Schulz's (San Diego, Calif./Serra) first home run of the season.
Sophomore pitcher Brie Brown (Nashville, Tenn./Harputh Hall) pitched a complete game, allowing only three hits and striking out six. The game marked her fourth shutout of the season.
In Game 2, Northwestern scored two runs in the bottom of the second when Schulz and junior Gretchen Barnes (Flossmoor, Ill./Homewood-Flossmoor) were walked by the Huskie pitcher. Senior Stacey Austin (Cincinnati, Ohio/Sycamore) reached first on a fielder's choice, advancing Schulz and Barnes. Schulz then scored on a wild pitch, while Barnes advanced to third. Junior Rane Gunderson (Minnetonka, Minn./Minnetonka) brought home Barnes for the second run of the game on a base hit.
Northwestern scored six runs in the bottom of the fourth inning. Freshman Carri Leto (El Cajon, Calif./Valhalla) doubled to bring home freshman J.C. Kira (Honolulu, Hawaii/Saint Francis) and sophomore Robyn Pettinger (Hoffman Estates, Ill./Fremd). Sophomore Brett Nakabayashi (Irvine, Calif./Irvine) reached first on an error by the Huskie first baseman and advanced to second as Leto scored. Jancic then doubled, scoring Nakabayashi, and Schulz stepped up to the plate for her second homer of the day, putting the `Cats up, 8-0.
Northern Illinois remained scoreless in the top of the fifth inning, allowing the eight-run rule to take effect and end the game. Sophomore pitcher Lauren Schwendimann (Tustin, Calif./Foothill) pitched a complete game, allowing just one hit and striking out nine.
On the day, Jancic was 3-of-6 with two runs, two doubles and one RBI. Gunderson was 3-of-4 with one RBI, and Schulz was 2-of-5 with four RBI, three runs and two dingers.
Northwestern improved its record to 11-13, and hosts Minnesota on Friday for a doubleheader, starting at 2 p.m. The Wildcats and Golden Gophers each have a 2-2 Big Ten record.