April 6, 2003
Game 1 Box Score
Game 2 Box Score
EVANSTON, Ill. - It isn't very often that a team outhits the opposition 15-5 in a doubleheader and is forced to settle for only one win. Unfortunately, that was the case for the Northwestern softball team Sunday afternoon against Penn State at Drysdale Field. The Wildcats dominated both games, but lost the opener 1-0 on a solo homer before bouncing back to take the nightcap 4-0 behind three home runs of their own.
The split moves the 'Cats' record to 21-11 overall and 3-5 in the Big Ten. Penn State goes to 19-13 and 3-3 with the win and a loss.
One day after stuggling with her control in a start against Ohio State, Courtnay Foster (Tucson, Ariz./Sahuaro) was dominant in the opening game. The freshman didn't allow a hit until there were two out in the fourth inning, when Megan Humphrey doubled. But Foster struck out Destinie Chavez to end the inning.
Meanwhile, Northwestern continued to struggle to get the clutch hit, as the Wildcats stranded five baserunners through the opening four innings of play, including four in scoring position.
Kelley Galigher made Foster pay for her only real mistake of the game in the top of the sixth inning. With one out, she lined a home run over the fence in left, giving the Nittany Lions a 1-0 lead.
Penn State pitcher Shana Riggleman made the pitches she needed to when she had to. The Wildcats had a runner reach in each of the final three innings, but Riggleman held the 'Cats at bay each time.
Northwestern outhit PSU 8-2 in the game and stranded eight runners, compared to four for the Nittany Lions. Foster (9-6) struck out nine and walked two in suffering the tough-luck loss.
Robyn Pettinger (Hoffman Estates, Ill./Fremd) and J.C. Kira (Honolulu, Hawaii/Saint Francis) had two hits apiece for NU.
Game two became the Wildcats' chance to play longball, as they slugged out a season-high three home runs.
Erin Mobley (Santa Ana, Calif./Foothill) got the 'Cats on the scoreboard first in the top of the third inning. She deposited her second home run of the season over the fence in right-center with a runner on, giving Northwestern a 2-0 lead.
Pettinger joined the hit parade in the top of the third, leading off with her third homer of the year to nearly the same spot, putting the Wildcats up by three.
Lauren Schwendimann (Tustin, Calif./Foothill), who had her second outstanding pitching performance in as many days, helped herself at the plate as well. She hit her second round-tripper of the season in the fifth to give her all the run support she would need.
After allowing just two hits and no runs in 6 2/3 innings of relief Saturday, Schwendimann (7-4) surrendered only three hits in picking up the complete game shutout. She struck out five and walked one.
Pettinger collected her second consecutive multi-hit game, as she also added a double, while Schwendimann posted two hits as well. NU held a 7-3 edge in the hit column.
Northwestern wraps up its six-game home stand at 3 p.m. Wednesday when it hosts Northern Illinois.