Northwestern softball secured its second straight sweep in conference play, outlasting Michigan State across three games at Rosemont this past weekend.
These wins — two decisive victories and one nail-biter — lifted the Wildcats (23-19, 11-7 B1G) in the Big Ten standings, extended their winning streak to six and continued their recent momentum in conference play. While Michigan State (15-28, 2-15 B1G) ranks dead last in the conference, the ‘Cats took care of business and ensured no upsets occurred
amid a conference where any slip can prove costly.
Game 1: Northwestern 10, Michigan State 0 (5 innings)
The ‘Cats started this series in dominating fashion. While the offense may have driven headlines, the game’s most valuable player was Marina Mason in the circle. The standout first-year pitched 5.0 innings of one-hit ball, walking two batters and striking out six. Her performance on Friday night was a driving reason behind her being named Big Ten Pitcher of the Week.
While Mason shut down the Spartans’ offense from start to finish, the ‘Cats offense took advantage with sustained scoring across four innings. Emma Raye kicked things off in the first frame with an RBI double scoring Grace Nieto from first, and Kansas Robinson followed with a single that brought Raye home. A 2-0 lead became a 7-0 lead in the bottom of the second on a fielder’s choice from Kaylie Avvisato, a two-run RBI triple from Raye and both her and Grace Minarovic coming around to score on a throwing error from Michigan State’s pitcher. Northwestern’s batters didn’t get complacent, tacking on one more run in the third via an Avvisato triple, and two more runs in the fourth via RBI hits from Avery Garden and Abby Harvey. It was a team effort with all parts of the lineup contributing to the 8-0 run-rule victory in Friday’s opener.
Game 2: Northwestern 8, Michigan State 7
Saturday’s battle was the most contentious and contained a nearly blown lead by NU, but one it held on to with clutch play down the stretch.
As we’ve seen numerous times this season, Northwestern’s offense knows how to carry momentum from one game to the next. Raye reminded fans of that with a three-run bomb to center field in the first inning that scored Avvisato and Nieto, putting the Wildcats up 3-0 before the Spartans had even recorded an out. The following inning, NU doubled its lead on a fielder’s choice from Tru Medina along with Nieto and Raye taking advantage of some defensive lapses to make it 6-0 Northwestern.
But Michigan State’s offense woke up in the top of the third, scoring its first runs of the series with three off Riley Grudzielanek. The margin got closer in the fourth, when the Spartans added two more runs to make it a one-score game. The Spartans were on the verge of tying the game in the fifth with runners on the corners, but a wild defensive play from NU, where it picked off the runner coming home and caught one between second and third, maintained the lead for the ‘Cats.
NU got a much-needed insurance run in the bottom of the fifth, when Izzy Cunnea’s sacrifice pop fly allowed the speedy Bridget Donahey to score from third and extend Northwestern’s lead to 7-5. But in the subsequent inning, Michigan State got the clutch hit it had been seeking all game, with Sydney Doloszycki mashing a double down the line off Renae Cunningham that knotted the game at 7-7.
With the game now tied heading into the bottom of the sixth, NU’s offense turned from dominant to timely. Avvisato started the frame with a single through the left side, advanced to second on a throwing error and was able to reach home on yet another defensive error — Michigan State’s sixth error of the day — that returned the lead to Northwestern and secured its game-winning run.
The Spartans had one last chance in the seventh but were shut down by Mason, who came in relief to earn the save. She closed out the win with an electric strikeout that ended all hopes of another comeback.
Game 3: Northwestern 8, Michigan State 0 (5 innings)
This game more closely mirrored the first — stout offense and yet another impressive performance from Mason. She again silenced the Spartans’ batters and allowed just two hits across five innings while striking out six. For the third straight contest, Northwestern’s scoring began in the first when four runs were posted from a two-run shot by Raye and a two-run double from Cunnea. While the bats cooled for a few innings, the Wildcats erupted again in the fifth. Donahey blasted a ball to left field that made it 6-0, a throwing error brought Nader home from second and Medina sealed the run-rule win with a double to right-center that scored Nader. Four runs bookending the game was enough for the ‘Cats to not only earn their second shutout of the weekend but also stamp a series sweep.
Up Next
Northwestern will take a road trip out west to DeKalb, Illinois, to face Northern Illinois on Tuesday. First pitch is scheduled for 6 p.m. CT.
