Logic dictates the Wildcats should beat a team that has yet to win a Big Ten contest. That theory will be tested this weekend when Northwestern (21-27, 8-10 Big Ten) returns to Big Ten competition with an away series against Michigan State (11-36, 0-17).
The Spartans sit at the bottom of the conference after losing 13 straight and 20 out of the last 21 games. They have yet to win a Big Ten game this season, but junior shortstop Emily Allard said the Cats are not motivated by that.
“We’re not really paying attention to that at all,” she said. “We’re just focusing on ourselves. I think if we play how we know how to play, nobody can beat us. So as long as we come out and do what we’re supposed to do, the wins will follow.”
Since the start of the Big Ten season, the Cats are 3-3 against teams below them in the standings, winning two of three matches against 9th-place Ohio State and one of three against 10th-place Minnesota.
NU is looking to gain momentum for a late-season streak, but it will have to rebound from an error-filled 7 innings against DePaul on Wednesday.
The Cats gave up only 2 earned runs in the 6-1 defeat but committed 3 errors, leading to 4 unearned runs. The pitching staff will need to be at its best to avoid a repeat performance this weekend.
“Michigan State’s always been able to hit, so our pitching needs to execute,” coach Kate Drohan said.
Specifically, Drohan said the pitchers will aim to change speeds against the Spartan hitters.
“I think the changeup will be key,” she said. “It’s about us having composure on the mound and competing in the moment and working pitch to pitch.”
On offense, the Cats will have to improve on a 4-hit outing Wednesday. Statistically, the task will be easier against a Michigan State squad, allowing opposing teams to bat a conference-worst .352, than against DePaul, which allows only a .225 batting average.
Despite Michigan State’s low number of strikeouts from the circle – the fewest in the Big Ten – NU won’t be looking to sit back in the batter’s box and take walks. Following their year-long trend, the Cats will take an aggressive approach when stepping up to the plate.
“We want to put the ball in play,” Drohan said. “We want to put the pressure on their defense. If we have some good presence in the batter’s box and we have a good approach, we’ll be in business.”
Most importantly, the Cats need to make sure errors do not show up against the Spartans. NU had 3 errors in the first 3 innings against DePaul and has 65 errors in 48 games, or 1.35 per game, tied for second most in the Big Ten.
“We need to make sure that we control the momentum early in the series,” Drohan said. “I think it’s going to be a battle.”
