April 4, 2005
EVANSTON, Ill. -- Sophomore Eileen Canney (Paradise, Calif./Paradise) has been named Big Ten Pitcher of the Week for her efforts during the Wildcats' perfect 4-0 Conference opening weekend.
Perfect is exactly what Canney was Friday, throwing just the fourth perfect game in school history in a 10-0, five-inning win against Illinois. She faced 15 batters and retired them all for the 33rd no-hitter in school history and the first since April 23, 2000, when Lauren Schwendimann pitched a perfect game against Michigan.
Canney came back Sunday to allow a single run on four hits with six strikeouts in an 11-1, five-inning win against Iowa.
The honor is the second of the season for Canney and the third of her career. The reigning Big Ten Freshman of the Year picked up Pitcher of the Week accolades after the season's first weekend in February.
Northwestern currently sits alone atop the Big Ten standings as the only team to come through the first weekend unscathed.