April 4, 2004
URBANA, Ill. -- Northwestern earned a split in its Sunday doubleheader against the Fighting Illini with a 3-1 win in the second game in Urbana, Ill. The win was also NU's first of the season in Big Ten play.
Freshman Eileen Canney turned in a masterful performance in the circle, proving to be the stopper the Wildcats (16-11, 1-3 Big Ten) needed after dropping seven of their last eight contests. Canney (9-2) struck out eight batters while scattering five hits and allowing only one run in the complete game victory.
Eileen pitched a big game for us," NU head coach Kate Drohan said. "We have had problems getting the big out recently, but both Eileen and Courtnay did a great job today."
Courtnay Foster took the hard-luck loss in the first game of the double-dip, striking out 10 and allowing only two runs, but the Wildcats were unable to put a dent in the Illini's Amanda Fortune.
Mired in a slump that has seen NU score two or fewer times in seven of its last nine contests, the Wildcats were able to take advantage of Illinois miscues to score some badly needed runs down 1-0 in the third inning.
An error by pitcher Sherri Taylor on a Katie Logan grounder allowed Sheila McCorkle to score, and speedy pinch-runner Elizabeth Piatt, running for Jamie Dotson, forced the Illini (23-13-2, 2-2) catcher into missing the plate on a bases-loaded grounder by Erin Mobley, giving the 'Cats the lead for good at 2-1.
"We are ahead of where we were at this point last season," Drohan said. "I think the girls were a little too excited for the Big Ten season and they finally settled down today. The first win is always the toughest."
Northwestern began Big Ten play 0-4 last year after season-opening sweeps by Michigan and Michigan State. The 'Cats finished the year at 11-9, earning a berth in the Big Ten Tournament. This season, NU dropped its first three Big Ten contests to Iowa and the Illini.
The Wildcats added an insurance run in the fourth when Eryn Manahan followed a Garland Cooper double with a double of her own, plating pinch-runner Jenny Glonke.
Northwestern returns to action at 3 p.m. Tuesday with a nonconference matchup at Northern Illinois.