May 5, 2002
EVANSTON, Ill. - After new calculations, a second tiebreaker puts the Northwestern softball team out of the six-team Big Ten Tournament, and Illinois into the number six position. The news came after the 'Cats lost 8-3 to No. 22 Iowa Sunday afternoon.
Penn State, Illinois and NU all finished the Big Ten season with 10-9 records. The first tiebreaker is head-to-head records with all those tied. Since all three teams split, the next tiebreaker is used, which is records against all teams that finish the season sixth in the Big Ten or better, including those that are tied. PSU finishes with a 6-6 mark, Illinois is 3-8 and NU is 3-9. With PSU's and IU's winning percentage higher than the 'Cats, they earn the final spots.
The 'Cats needed a win over No. 22 Iowa this weekend, but lost 4-3 on Saturday and 8-3 on Sunday.
In Sunday's game, NU came out on fire, jumping on Hawkeye starting pitcher Sarah Thomson in the first inning. The 'Cats scored two runs on three hits and took advantage of an Iowa error to go up 2-0 early.
Lisa Birocci came in on relief in the third for the Hawkeyes and was welcomed by Erin Jancic (Houston, Texas/Alief Elsik) sending her second pitch over the center field fence. The home run was the fifth of the season for the senior. Jancic finishes her career as one of the best hitters ever at NU. Her name is atop the career RBI, runs and doubles list.
The 'Cats took a 3-1 lead into the fourth, before a virtual self-destruction gave the Hawkeyes a 6-3 lead. NU committed three errors in the fourth and a total of six for the game. Iowa used them all to their advantage, scoring five unearned runs in the contest.
Brie Brown (Nashville, Tenn./Harpeth Hall) was tagged with the loss even though she surrendered just two hits.
The 'Cats wrap up the season with a 24-18-1 overall record and fail to make the tournament for the second straight year.