By Philip Rossman-ReichThe Daily Northwestern
Freshman second baseman Nicole Pauly came to the plate in the bottom of the ninth inning with the bases loaded Saturday against No. 10 Michigan.
The Wolverines had already walked sophomore shortstop Tammy Williams and senior first baseman Garland Cooper to reach the freshman cleanup hitter.
It would be a nerve-wracking situation for any player. But the freshman went into the batter’s box focused on getting a hit for the win.
Michigan pitcher Lorilyn Wilson hit Pauly, plating the winning run.
“It was kind of bittersweet because I wanted to get a hit,” Pauly said. “But I was absolutely happy that we won because of that.”
Northwestern has raced out to a 24-6 start entering the conference portion of its schedule, which begins Friday and Saturday against Michigan and Sunday against Michigan State. NU’s freshmen have played an important part propelling the team to it best start since 1987.
Pauly is batting cleanup behind the Wildcats’ leadoff hitters – who are each hitting above .300.
She is riding an eight-game hitting streak and ranks fourth on the team with 22 RBIs while hitting .268.
“It’s good for experience,” Pauly said. “Obviously, having Garland (Cooper) right next to me and Tammy (Williams) on the other side, it’s great having them there because they are supportive non-stop. (Playing) was kind of nerve-wracking at the beginning, but now I’m getting more comfortable and just playing and not thinking about anything.”
She’s not the only freshman making big contributions.
Pitcher Lauren Delaney has won her first 12 decisions and leads all Big Ten pitchers with a 1.06 ERA. She is third in the conference with 116 strikeouts entering conference play. She was named Big Ten pitcher of the week on February 13.
Left fielder Kelly Dyer has started all 30 games and is hitting .160 with three home runs and 12 RBIs as the eighth hitter in the batting order. Dyer hit two home runs – including a game-winning grand slam in the seventh inning – in a 5-2 comeback victory against No. 7 Arizona State on Feb. 24.
Dyer said the toughest adjustment has been to the speed of the college game.
“Everything’s a lot faster and quicker,” Dyer said. “Balls come out into the outfield so much faster. You’ve got to be so much quicker in everything. Everything’s more intense … There’s a lot of pressure, but it’s great to be out there.”
The team has almost six months from the start of school to prepare for its season and bring freshman into the team. Coach Kate Drohan has a rigorous program to prepare the team for the season and make the group a cohesive unit.
The first phase of the program includes fall games and practices. The second phase builds strength and conditioning. The team works in the weight room and on the field, building both physical and mental strength for the season.
Drohan said she expects the players to play at a high level by game one.
“Our upperclassmen take care of our underclassmen,” Drohan said. “Really their job is to help them understand our system as quickly as possible. We usually get that done in the first three or four weeks of the year.
“It’s meant to challenge them and let them know the standards are high and you never let up.”
Freshman players said they know coaches expect them to perform at a high level right when they enter the program. They quickly adjust to the increased speed and skill of players and the increased preparation for games.
The freshmen are quickly integrated into the team and accepted simply as players.
“When we first get here, the goal of the team is to get us a part of (the team),” Dyer said. “They want us to not be freshmen. When I step on that field, I’m no longer a freshman. I’m a Northwestern softball player.”
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