March 28, 2007
Northwestern's Game Notes in PDF Format
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EVANSTON, Ill. -- It is springtime in Evanston, Ill., and the grass in the outfield of Sharon J. Drysdale Field is a brilliant green in anticipation of this weekend's home and Big Ten openers against No. 10 Michigan and Michigan State.
The first home game of 2007 is at 3 p.m. Friday, March 30, against the Wolverines, with the second game scheduled for noon Saturday, March 31. The Spartans then come to town Sunday, April 1, for a noon doubleheader.
Friday's game against the Wolverines will be broadcast live on WNUR 89.3 FM, Northwestern's student radio. All home games during this first homestand will feature live video streaming online at NUsports.com via All-Access. To sign up for the premium All-Access service, link to the audio/video page on NUsports.com.
Friday's game is "Chow at Chipotle after Cheering on the 'Cats" day. More than 100 Chipotle burrito coupons will be given out throughout the game, so the more you cheer, the more you chow!
Saturday's game is the "Lil' 'Cat Press Pass with Christine Brennan!" Special guest and Northwestern alum Christine Brennan (USA Today sports columnist, best-selling author and commentator for ABC News and ESPN) will be on hand to throw out the first pitch, as well as give writing tips to all kids in 8th grade and under who want to be part of the Lil' 'Cat Press Pass, which includes access to ask the coaches questions after the game. Kids can write their own game stories from the day's action, and the top stories will be posted on NUsports.com. The writer of the best story will win prizes compliments of Northwestern Athletics.
Sunday's doubleheader against Michigan State is April Fools Day. We could tell you what special promotions are going on, but would you believe us? You have to show up to find out!
Northwestern and Michigan will be meeting for the second and third times in a week after the squads faced off Saturday, March 24, at the Women 4 Women Invitational in Louisville, Ky. The Wildcats came out on top of the tense, Big Ten-style, two hour and 45 minute contest, 2-1, in nine innings.
Northwestern finished its preconference schedule with a 24-6 record, including a 9-3 mark against ranked teams in preparation for the 2007 Big Ten season.
Senior Eileen Canney (Paradise, Calif./Paradise) enters this weekend as the two-time defending Big Ten Pitcher of the Week after going 3-1 with a 0.30 ERA and 34 strikeouts in 23.0 innings pitched last weekend.
Sophomore Tammy Williams (Roscoe, Mo./Osceola) leads the Big Ten with a .515 batting average, 52 hits and a ridiculous 43 runs scored in 30 games this year.
Senior Garland Cooper (Mission Viejo, Calif./Santa Margarita Catholic) currently leads the conference with 11 home runs and 38 RBIs. She ranks third in Big Ten history with 43 career home runs.
Freshman Lauren Delaney (Jefferson City, Mo./Helias) enters her first Big Ten season with a perfect 12-0 record and a conference-best 1.06 ERA so far in her college career.
The Wildcats will host Northern Illinois at 4 p.m. Tuesday, April 3, in NU's first home nonconference game of the season.