Editor’s note: Each week, WNUR Sports recaps the news and results from the in-season, non-revenue teams that we cover in order to help our listeners and readers stay connected to the pulse of Northwestern athletics.

By Drew Myers

Baseball

3/22/19 – vs. Purdue – L 5-2

3/23/19 – vs. Purdue – W 2-1

3/24/19 – vs. Purdue – L 9-7

Northwestern played Purdue this week in a three-game series at home. The Wildcats lost the series, but they were able to pick up their first Big Ten win of the season. Unlike in some past series, Northwestern kept every game close and they gave themselves a chance to win with quality starts from Hank Christie and Quinn Lavelle. In the first game, Quinn Lavelle threw six innings and only gave up three runs, but the Wildcats were unable to muster enough offense to beat the Boilermakers. In the second game, Hank Christie threw a 7-inning shutout with six strikeouts and notched his first win of the season. The Wildcats scored two runs in the first inning, which turned out to be all they needed as they beat Purdue 2-1. Finally, the Northwestern offense came alive in game three with a three-run homer by Willie Bourbon and a grand slam by Leo Kaplan. However, it would not be enough, as the Wildcats surrendered nine runs to lose 9-7. After the series, Northwestern sits at 6-13 overall with a 1-2 conference record. This week, Northwestern will play a Wednesday afternoon game against Chicago State on the road followed by a three-game series against San Jose State at home over the weekend.

Lacrosse

3/23/19 – vs. Marquette – W 24-4

Northwestern lacrosse played only one game this week, earning another win against Marquette on Saturday. Northwestern has now won two in a row after losing to No. 1 Boston College in Evanston in a heartbreaking 22-17 loss. It was all Northwestern against Marquette, however, as Selena Lasota and Izzy Scane led Northwestern on a 13-goal run after surrendering the first goal of the game to Marquette. This game was a display of utter dominance by Northwestern, and they will need more performances like this in order to get past the most daunting part of the schedule this season. Of their seven final games, six will be against opponents ranked in the top 25, including No. 2 Maryland. Northwestern sits at No. 5 in the nation according to the latest IWLCA poll. Looking ahead, the Wildcats play No. 24 Penn State on Thursday at 7 p.m. and No. 6 Penn on Sunday at 1 p.m., both at home.

Softball

3/22/19 – vs. Rutgers – W 8-0

3/23/19 – vs. Rutgers – W 5-3

3/23/19 – vs. Rutgers – W 9-1

Northwestern softball played Rutgers in a three-game series in Evanston and handily swept the Scarlett Knights, extending their win streak to five games. In the first game, Northwestern’s home opener, the offense was explosive with the Wildcats hitting three home runs, including a grand slam by Nikki Cuchran. Starting pitcher Danielle Williams tossed a five-inning shutout and did not allow a hit in the first three innings to help lead Northwestern to an 8-0 victory. Northwestern then won both games of Saturday’s doubleheader to cap off the sweep of Rutgers. Danielle Williams threw another five-inning gem in game two to get her 15th win of the season. Jordyn Rudd and Lily Novak also made large contributions in the first game of the doubleheader by hitting back-to-back home runs to help beat Rutgers 5-3. With the completion of the series, Northwestern is now ranked No. 15 in RPI. The Wildcats will continue their Big Ten conference play and look to extend their win streak against DePaul on Wednesday and then Iowa in a three-game series this upcoming weekend.

Women’s Basketball

3/21/19 – vs. Dayton – W 74-51

3/24/19 – vs. Toledo – W 54-47

The biggest news of the week was the Northwestern women’s basketball Team earning a WNIT berth for their impressive season. While Northwestern would have loved to play in the NCAA tournament, they are making the most of their WNIT appearance this year. Their first game against Dayton was a blowout, with Lindsey Pulliam leading the Wildcats with a fantastic game, scoring 26 points with three rebounds and four assists. After moving past Dayton, Northwestern defeated Toledo in the second round Sunday. It was again Pulliam who led the team in scoring and scored her 1,000th career point as Wildcat in the third quarter. Veronica Burton was another star against the Rockets, scoring 10 of her 13 total points and picking up three steals in the final 20 minutes of the game. Northwestern will take on West Virginia in the third round of the WNIT on Wednesday at 6 p.m. Central.