Feb. 28, 2002
EVANSTON, Ill. - After a two-week break, Northwestern softball (4-5-1) returns to action. This weekend's tournament brings the Wildcats to Louisville, Ky., for a three-day, five-game tournament versus Northern Iowa, Louisville, Belmont, Toledo and Kent State.
The 'Cats are coming off a 2-2-1 showing at the San Diego State Tournament where they belted 53 hits for an impressive team batting average of .333. However, the NU pitching staff allowed its opponents to hit an even higher average of .336. The 'Cats' 11-10 loss to Utah State marked the most runs given up by NU in a loss.
Gretchen Barnes (Flossmoor, Ill./Homewood-Flossmoor) was rewarded for her offensive production in San Diego with the season's first Big Ten Player of the Week honor. Barnes batted .556 with nine RBI, eight runs, two home runs and a double.
NU's first weekend opponent will be Northern Iowa. UNI is the only team in the tournament with a winning record. The Panthers are 9-2. Lindsay Woods, a first team All-Missouri Valley Conference recipient last season, leads the team with a .472 batting average, including five home runs. UNI is 1-0 against Big Ten opponents this season as they defeated Minnesota during opening weekend, 4-2. Assisting the Panthers is former NU assistant Christy Hebert. Hebert was in Evanston during the 1999 and 2000 season, helping coach the 'Cats to the 2000 NCAA Regionals.
NU has not played UNI since the 1980 season. That year, the Panthers beat the 'Cats 6-0 in both games. The doubleheader was the first and only time the two teams have met.
"Northern Iowa is a much-improved team the past few years," said Drohan. "We expect them to be aggressive on the basepath and at the plate."
Host Louisville is 4-8 coming into the weekend after playing a tough couple opening tournaments. They have played six games already against top-25 opponents. 2002 marks only the third year of existence of softball at Louisville. The program boasts a winning record of 76-52 since its inception. NU and Louisville have a common opponent this year in South Florida. The Cardinals fell to USF, 3-2, while the 'Cats defeated the Bulls, 5-2.
This be the first meeting between Louisville and NU.
"Louisville has a great pitching staff that they will throw at us," said Drohan. "They also will be a tough opponent because of the high caliber teams they have already faced this season."
Belmont University is 3-10 on the season and has been outscored by their opponents 76-23 so far this year. However, the Bruins did give Mississippi State a scare, falling to the 22nd-ranked team just 2-0.
This will also be the first time Belmont and NU have taken the field together.
Toledo will opens its 2002 campaign this weekend. They were 19-36 overall last year, 2-22 in the Mid-American Conference.
The Rockets and the 'Cats are tied at 3-3 in the all-time series. They last played during the 1993 season with NU winning, 1-0.
Kent State is the final weekend competition. The Golden Flashes return 13 letterwinners from last year's 32-22 squad. This season, they are picked to finish atop of the Mid-American Conference. They opened the 2002 season in Las Vegas where they went 1-4. Their win came in the opening game versus UC Riverside, 4-2.
NU is 2-0 against KSU, but the teams have not met in 19 years. In 1983, the 'Cats shut out the Golden Flashes, 3-0.
The 'Cats will attempt to climb above the .500 mark for the first time this season. They have yet to win back-to-back games, but also have never lost two games in one day so far this season.
"We have beaten ourselves many times already this year," said Drohan. "This weekend I am looking for us to step up and play our game. I expect solid performances from our pitching staff and on defense. I also expect us to keep up the pace we have established at the plate."
Friday, March 1 (all times EST)
Toledo vs. Northern Iowa-10 a.m.
NU vs. Northern Iowa-noon
NU vs. Louisville-2 p.m.
Toledo vs. Belmont-4 p.m.
Kent State vs. Belmont-6 p.m.
Saturday, March 2
Northern Iowa vs. Louisville-10 a.m.
NU vs. Belmont-noon
Kent State vs. Louisville-2 p.m.
Kent State vs. Toledo-4 p.m.
Belmont vs. Northern Iowa-6 p.m.
NU vs. Toledo-8 p.m.
Sunday, March 3
Northern Iowa vs. Kent State-10 a.m.
NU vs. Kent State-noon
Toledo vs. Louisville-2 p.m.
Belmont vs. Louisville-4 p.m.
* all games played at Ulmer Stadium located on the northern corner of Cardinal Park