FULLERTON, Calif. – Northwestern opened its 2019 season with a bang on Friday, dropping Utah State, 12-0, after five innings by run-rule at the Titan Classic for their first shutout in a season opener since 2009.
 
Sophomore Kenna Wilkey tossed a one-hit shutout with seven strikeouts and no walks in a sterling debut for her first win of the season.
 
Sophomore Rachel Lewis picked up where she left off in 2018 with a home run and a double in two at-bats for three RBI. Lewis went deep in her very first plate appearance of the game.
 
First year catcher Jordyn Rudd made quite the impression in her Wildcat debut, going 2 for 3 at the dish with three RBI on two doubles. The three other first-year starters, Nikki Cuchran, Maeve Nelson and Skyler Shellmyer picked up at least an RBI in their debut. 
 
Morgan Nelson, Cuchran, Rudd and Lewis all collected multi-hit days for head coach Kate Drohan's squad, which exploded for 11 hits. Morgan Nelson and Lewis each picked up a steal. 
 
Northwestern will finish their double-header at 2:30 p.m. central time against Pacific on day one of the season. Fans can watch on Flosoftball.com or follow along to @NUSBCats on Twitter for updates.  

 

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