March 22, 2011
Site: Moraga, Calif. (Cottrell Field)
Score: Northwestern 8, Saint Mary's 0 (5 inn.)
Records: NU (14-7), Saint Mary's (4-9)
Next NU Event: Saturday, March 26 -- vs. Michigan (Sharon J. Drysdale Field), 1 p.m.
MORAGA, Calif. -- Sammy Albanese made her return to the Bay Area a memorable one as the freshman fired a five-inning no-hitter in Northwestern's 8-0 win over Saint Mary's in the second game of a doubleheader Tuesday afternoon.
A native of Belmont, Calif., which is located right across the bay from Moraga, Albanese hurled the 44th no-hitter in program history and the first since Lauren Delaney accomplished the feat against Cal State Fullerton Feb. 12, 2010. She struck out seven Gaels in the contest
The Wildcats took advantage of four errors in the contest to earn the doubleheader sweep. NU also won the first game 8-0 in five innings.
After stranding a pair of baserunners in each of the first two innings, Northwestern broke through in the third inning. Adrienne Monka, who drove in four runs in the first game of the twinbill, connected for her team-leading seventh home run of the season to get the 'Cats on the board. After Michelle Batts reached on an error, pinch runner Paige Tonz stole second and advanced to third on a throwing error before scoring on an RBI double by Kelly Quinn.
Albanese was perfect the first time through the Gaels' lineup and the Wildcats gave her five big insurance runs in the top of the fourth. Saint Mary's retired the first two NU batters of the inning before another error opened the door for the Wildcats. Emily Allard reached on a bounder to short and then stole second before Robin Thompson brought her home on a run-scoring triple. A free pass to Monka put two aboard for Batts who deposited her second three-run homer of the afternoon to make it 6-0. Freshman Marisa Bast made it back-to-back jacks as she went deep as well to chase SMC starter Britany Linton from the game.
Albanese actually ran into trouble in the bottom of the fourth as a pair of walks and an error loaded the bases for the Gaels, but she recorded a strikeout to end the threat.
Northwestern tacked on one final run in the top of the fifth as Jordan Wheeler doubled and later scored on yet another error to help institute the mercy rule.
The only thing left in doubt was the no-hitter. Saint Mary's got the leadoff batter aboard via a walk, but a 6-4-3 twin-killing wiped the bases before Albanese finished things off with a strikeout.
Northwestern returns to action Saturday and Sunday as it opens Big Ten play at Sharon J. Drysdale Field against Michigan. First pitch is set for 1 p.m. each day.
Be the first to know what's going on with the 'Cats -- Follow @NU_Sports on Twitter, become a fan of Northwestern Athletics on Facebook! and subscribe to the NU Sports Express e-newsletter to receive the latest news, schedule updates and video and to interact with NU. For more information on following specific Northwestern teams online, visit our Social Media page!