PALM DESERT, Calif. – Northwestern won two thrillers on day one of the Mary Nutter Classic, defeating No. 9 Oregon 1-0 and San Diego State 7-6 in nine innings.
The 'Cats move to 9-2 on the season. The win over Oregon is Northwestern's second win against a top-10 opponent this season and fourth ranked victory.
Danielle Williams dominated yet again in game one. The senior took a no-hitter into the seventh inning, tossing her third complete-game shutout of the year. Williams has now defeated No. 3 UCLA, No. 15 Clemson, and No. 9 Oregon since last Friday.
With two outs and a runner on second, Oregon ripped a single to left, but Angela Zedak cut down the tying run at the plate with an incredible throw to end the game.
All the offense Williams needed came from the bat of Jordyn Rudd, who blasted a solo homer in the fourth inning. Rudd leads the Wildcats with 11 RBI this season. Maeve Nelson and Angela Zedak each tallied a single and a walk in game one.
Game two provided just as much excitement, ending in a ninth inning walk-off single by Jordyn Rudd.
After San Diego State put up three runs in the top of the fourth, Rachel Lewis responded immediately by launching the first pitch of the bottom of the fourth over the right field fence to pull the 'Cats within one. RBIs from Nikki Cuchran and Hannah Cady later in the inning put the 'Cats back up 4-3.
Down 6-5 headed in the bottom of the seventh, the 'Cats managed to load the bases and tie the game with a two-out, bases-loaded walk by Angela Zedak to send the game to extra innings.
Danielle Williams tossed two innings of relief in extra innings, managing to keep the extra-inning rule runner from scoring in both the eighth and ninth innings, hours after tossing over losing a no-hitter with one out to go.
After a Rachel Lewis intentional walk, Jordyn Rudd drove in Grace Nieto with a single to right to end the game.
Chicago's Big Ten Team is right back at it with another double-header tomorrow, taking on No. 5 Washington at 4:30 p.m. CT and CSU Fullerton after that game, scheduled for 7 p.m. CT.
The 'Cats move to 9-2 on the season. The win over Oregon is Northwestern's second win against a top-10 opponent this season and fourth ranked victory.
Danielle Williams dominated yet again in game one. The senior took a no-hitter into the seventh inning, tossing her third complete-game shutout of the year. Williams has now defeated No. 3 UCLA, No. 15 Clemson, and No. 9 Oregon since last Friday.
With two outs and a runner on second, Oregon ripped a single to left, but Angela Zedak cut down the tying run at the plate with an incredible throw to end the game.
.@angg_zedakk_9 FROM LEFT FIELD.
— Northwestern Softball (@NUSBcats) February 25, 2022
ANOTHER TOP-TEN WIN.
ANOTHER CLASSIC.
How about those 'Cats? ??#GoCats | #BeRemarkable pic.twitter.com/O0SBrjpKUX
All the offense Williams needed came from the bat of Jordyn Rudd, who blasted a solo homer in the fourth inning. Rudd leads the Wildcats with 11 RBI this season. Maeve Nelson and Angela Zedak each tallied a single and a walk in game one.
Jordyn Rudd. RBI Machine.
— Northwestern Softball (@NUSBcats) February 25, 2022
(Even when no one is on base)#GoCats | #BeRemarkable pic.twitter.com/ruhihI4Bma
Game two provided just as much excitement, ending in a ninth inning walk-off single by Jordyn Rudd.
Nikki Cuchran exploded against San Diego State, doubling twice and homering to drive in three runs. She opened the scoring in the second inning with a solo shot.THIS TEAM ??????@jordynrudd63's RBI-single ends it.
— Northwestern Softball (@NUSBcats) February 26, 2022
Your Northwestern Wildcats are 9??-2??.#GoCats | #BeRemarkable pic.twitter.com/iTkqDYWDSI
.@NCuchran LAUNCHED this ball to put the 'Cats on the board ??#GoCats | #BeRemarkable pic.twitter.com/vMBTwhvuSu
— Northwestern Softball (@NUSBcats) February 25, 2022
After San Diego State put up three runs in the top of the fourth, Rachel Lewis responded immediately by launching the first pitch of the bottom of the fourth over the right field fence to pull the 'Cats within one. RBIs from Nikki Cuchran and Hannah Cady later in the inning put the 'Cats back up 4-3.
.@rlewis_11 didn't even wait for @FloSoftball to take down their between innings graphic before demolishing this home run.
— Northwestern Softball (@NUSBcats) February 26, 2022
First pitch of the inning, yard ??#GoCats | #BeRemarkable pic.twitter.com/QgKuMC4fNb
Down 6-5 headed in the bottom of the seventh, the 'Cats managed to load the bases and tie the game with a two-out, bases-loaded walk by Angela Zedak to send the game to extra innings.
Danielle Williams tossed two innings of relief in extra innings, managing to keep the extra-inning rule runner from scoring in both the eighth and ninth innings, hours after tossing over losing a no-hitter with one out to go.
After a Rachel Lewis intentional walk, Jordyn Rudd drove in Grace Nieto with a single to right to end the game.
Chicago's Big Ten Team is right back at it with another double-header tomorrow, taking on No. 5 Washington at 4:30 p.m. CT and CSU Fullerton after that game, scheduled for 7 p.m. CT.