softball v michigansoftball v michigan
photo by John Konstantaras

Walk-Off Winner: No. 9 'Cats Down No. 23 Michigan

Photo Gallery Opens in a new window YouTube Opens in a new window
EVANSTON, Ill. – No. 9 Northwestern toppled No. 23 Michigan, 4-3, at Sharon. J Drysdale Field thanks to a walk-off single by Jordyn Rudd in the ninth inning.

WALK ?? IT ?? OFF, @jordynrudd63!#GoCats | #BeRemarkable pic.twitter.com/BUVeUPlY61

— Northwestern Softball (@NUSBcats) April 1, 2022
 
Northwestern improves to 23-4 on the season and is riding a 13-game winning streak.
 
Danielle Williams was sensational yet again for the 'Cats, striking out 16 batters over nine innings, one short of her career-high of 17 Ks set last weekend against Michigan St., while allowing just five hits and two earned runs.
 
After falling into an early 3-0 hole, the 'Cats clawed back with solo home runs. Maeve Nelson destroyed a ball onto the roof of Welsh-Ryan Arena in the second inning to put the Wildcats on the board.

ON THE ROOF! ????

Congratulations Maeve Nelson, now a TWO-TIME member of the Welsh-Ryan Arena Roof Club™?#GoCats | #BeRemarkable pic.twitter.com/NqTgnGmkd2

— Northwestern Softball (@NUSBcats) April 1, 2022
 
Down 3-1 in the bottom of the sixth, Rachel Lewis and Jordyn Rudd blasted back-to-back homers to tie up the game.

Things that never get old:@rlewis_11 launching balls off Welsh-Ryan Arena#GoCats | #BeRemarkable pic.twitter.com/ThVY31Dzbq

— Northwestern Softball (@NUSBcats) April 1, 2022

ALL. TIED. UP. ????

The J is rocking after this BOMB from @jordynrudd63!#GoCats | #BeRemarkable pic.twitter.com/Mxkml6vngV

— Northwestern Softball (@NUSBcats) April 1, 2022
 
It took until two outs in the ninth inning to break the deadlock, as Jordyn Rudd delivered a game-winning single with the bases loaded to give Northwestern its first home win over Michigan since 2009.
 
The 'Cats look to grab the series win against Michigan tomorrow at 1 p.m. CT on BTN.