Softball

In its final Big Ten home series of the season, Northwestern sent its seniors off with a resounding sweep of Michigan State.

With its seven seniors as the core for this Wildcat team, NU (19-23, 10-7) played hard both offensively and defensively against the Spartans (22-25, 4-13) throughout the weekend. As the Cats currently sit in fifth place in the Big Ten, the three conference wins were imperative for the team’s hopes of making a run in the postseason.

Friday’s 8-0 win was highlighted by the play of pitchers Kristen Wood and Kenzie Ellis. Wood, one of the team’s seniors, took the mound for the first time in conference play after sitting out due to injury. Wood and Ellis, a freshman, combined on a one-hit shutout in the run-rule victory, with Wood only allowing one hit in the fourth frame.

Coach Kate Drohan said the team’s ability to play hard and stay composed gave them an advantage throughout the series.

“I liked our poise; I liked our confidence,” Drohan said. “We played really good, physical softball. It also really makes a difference when our crowd gets into it, and I think they were a game changer this weekend.”

On Saturday, the Cats’ defense got its chance to shine, allowing only 2 runs and 4 hits over seven innings.

Although Michigan State scored 2 runs against senior pitcher Amy Letourneau in the third frame, NU held the Spartans scoreless for the rest of the matchup, while freshman third baseman Morgan Nelson helped the Wildcats score three runs in the third. A sacrifice fly by senior shortstop Andrea Filler brought Nelson home to secure the 4-2 win for the Cats.

Filler, who currently leads the team in doubles and triples, emphasized the team’s grit and toughness as one of the keys to the weekend wins.

“We really focused on taking things one pitch at a time,” Filler said. “We wanted to be tougher than them and make the plays out there that we needed to.”

NU took the field Sunday looking for another big day from its pitchers to secure the sweep. Wood and Letourneau split time on the mound, allowing 4 runs and 5 hits total, with the two combining for 8 strikeouts as well.

However, Sunday’s highlights came from none other than Filler, who slammed two homers against the Spartans, including a three-run dinger in the bottom of the first.

Although Michigan State was able to score three more runs throughout the game, NU’s offense proved too much to handle. Drohan said the Cats played well under pressure throughout the series — and this season — under strong leadership from the seniors.

“They each bring such a unique talent and personality to our team and we’re really gelling with their leadership,” Drohan said. “All seven of them are really carrying us right now and it was great to see; it was great to be a part of.”

As conference play comes to a close, the Cats’ sweep against Michigan State will be the last series they will play versus a Big Ten opponent at home this season. For the team’s seven seniors, the sweep was bittersweet: Sunday’s game was their second-to-last on home turf.

Filler said the ability to win big against Michigan State was the perfect culmination to a memorable weekend.

“It’s awesome, it’s hard to put into words because it honors your whole experience here (at Northwestern),” Filler said. “It’s been an incredible journey, and an even better time, with the six other seniors here.”

Twitter: @melissahaniff
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