Hi, I’m Amelia Donhauser. Here’s your NU Sports report for this week.
It was a beautiful weekend for the ‘Cats on and off the field in Evanston.
SOFTBALL
Over the weekend, the 23rd-ranked Northwestern softball team faced off against the Penn State Nittany Lions at the J in Evanston for a three-game series. The ‘Cats took game one thanks to a stellar outing from graduate student pitcher Danielle Williams, who had 11 strikeouts over seven innings and a sixth-inning offensive rally. Angela Zedak led the day with a home run and 3 RBIs. They won the game 9-4. In game 2, the ‘Cats led by 11 at the bottom of the second inning and beat the Nittany Lions 24-6 in 5 innings thanks to the run rule. They also broke the program record of runs scored in a game. The ‘Cats completed the sweep in game three with a walk-off grand slam from Jordyn Rudd at the bottom of the seventh inning, beating the Nittany Lions 5-2. After the weekend, the ‘Cats are in sole possession of 1st place in the Big 10 with a 9-1 record for conference play. The ‘Cats will take on their in-state rivals Illinois at 4 pm on Wednesday afternoon at the J in Evanston.
BASEBALL
Meanwhile, for baseball, the ‘Cats also got their first series win against their in-state rivals Illinois over the weekend in a three-game series. The ‘Cats started off strong with an RBI from Senior Stephen Hrustich in the bottom of the 1st. But Illinois took the lead in the top of the fourth 2-1, and they added another in the top of the seventh. Catcher Cooper Foard saved the day for the Cats as he singled down the line giving the ‘Cats a 4-3 walk-off win. In game two, senior Evan Minarovic led the team with three hits but it was no match for the Illini as they came fighting back, beating the ‘Cats 2-7. In game three, Owen McElfatrick broke a 4-4 tie, propelling the ‘Cats to a 7-4 win and the first series win of the season. A stellar performance also came from Stephen Hrustich, who went 2-for-3 in the game with a home run, a walk, and 3 RBI at Miller Park. With the win, the ‘Cats are now .500 in conference play and will prepare for an important series against Nebraska next week.
LACROSSE
On Saturday, the 2nd-ranked women’s lacrosse team was in Albany to play UAlbany. With a close score of 5-5 at the beginning of the second period, the rest of the game was all ‘Cats. In dominating fashion, they beat the great Danes 21-11. The ‘Cats had four players scoring four goals: Dylan Amonte, Hailey Rhatigan, Izzy Scane, and standout 1st year Madison Taylor. Scane scored her first two goals with only 45 seconds left in the first half on back-to-back possessions. The dominant Scane also had three assists for the ‘Cats on the day. They finished their road trip undefeated, extending their win streak to 12 games. They improved to 13-1 on the season and will return to conference play when they take on unranked Ohio State in Columbus on Saturday at 5 pm.
TENNIS
Finally, what a weekend it was for men’s tennis as they took on their instate rivals. The/ No. 27 ‘Cats hosted No. 23 Illinois at the Vandy Christie Tennis Center in Evanston. In a narrow victory, the ‘Cats, led by graduate student Ivan Yatsuk, graduate student Trice Pickens and junior Gleb Blekher, secured the 4-3 victory thanks to their singles matches. In doubles, Steven Forman and Simen Bratholm took down no 41. ranked Hunter Heck and Karlis Ozolins 6-2, as the ‘Cats handed the pairing their first loss of the season. Gleb Blekher defeated Nic Meister in three sets, 7-6 and 6-1, to clinch the match. The ‘Cats improve to 15-7 on the season, and they will take on Nebraska on Friday at the Combe Tennis Center in Evanston.
On the women’s side, they took down Rutgers 4-1 in New Jersey on Sunday. In doubles, Justine Leong and Christina Hand beat Rutgers’ Jackeline Lopez and Arina Valitova 6-4. Leong, Maria Shusharina, and Hand all won their singles sets. With the win, they improve to 8-11 on the season with a three-game win streak. They are 4-3 for conference play. They will face Minnesota on Friday in Minneapolis and no. 21 ranked Wisconsin in Madison on Sunday to improve their conference record.
That wraps up your NU Sports report for this week. For more information about upcoming games, as well as how you can watch the Wildcats live, visit www.nusports.com.
I’m Amelia Donhauser, WNUR News.
