By Andrew Neville

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.

Baseball: 

Result(s): 

• 4/16: 5-4 loss vs Indiana
• 4/17: 8-5 win over Indiana
• 4/18: 4-0 loss vs Indiana

Northwestern baseball dropped their second consecutive home series this weekend, as Indiana took two of three from the ‘Cats at Rocky and Berenice Miller Park.

In the opener, Northwestern’s Mike Doherty and Indiana’s Tommy Sommer engaged in an exciting pitchers’ duel. Indiana was able to find the breakthrough in the top of the third when Kip Fougerousse stroked a single to right field on an 0-2 pitch, scoring two runs. The Hoosiers were able to add three more runs in the top of the 7th off of Doherty and first-year Garrett Boeckle. Northwestern’s bats woke up late as they ultimately narrowed the deficit to one on a two-run double from Stephen Hrustich, but the ‘Cats could not squeak across the tying run and fell 5-4.

On Saturday, the Wildcats jumped out to an early 4-0 lead on the back of two home runs from first-year second baseman Vincent Bianchina, his fourth and fifth of the year. Those home runs moved this year’s Northwestern team into sole possession of 5th place in school history for home runs hit in a season. Indiana stormed back and scored five unanswered runs, taking the lead on an RBI single from Drew Ashley in the top of the 8th. However, the Indiana lead was short-lived as a two-run single in the bottom of the frame from first-year Ethan O’Donnell put the ‘Cats ahead for good. They would go on to win 8-5.

In the finale, Northwestern was baffled by the stellar pitching of Indiana’s Gabe Bierman. The ‘Cats only mustered 2 hits all game as Bierman pitched 7.2 scoreless innings, striking out six and walking just one. Tyler Van Pelt’s RBI fielder’s choice and Morgan Colopy’s two-run homer off of Northwestern starter Quinn Lavelle proved to be more than enough run support as Indiana cruised to a 4-0 victory.

Northwestern will hit the road next weekend for a pair of two-game sets with Maryland and Iowa in Iowa City.

Lacrosse:

Result(s): 

• 4/18: 19-10 win over Michigan

Northwestern women’s lacrosse capped off an undefeated regular season on Sunday as they handled Michigan for their 11th consecutive victory. The Wildcats jumped out to a quick 5-0 lead and never looked back. The  Wolverines found their footing and hung around well into the second half but could never get the margin smaller than four. Northwestern had six multi-goalscorers in the game. Izzy Scane led the ‘Cats with six and Lauren Gilbert followed with three while Erin Coykendall, Leah Holmes, Linsey McKone and Brennan Dwyer added 2 each.

The ‘Cats now prepare for the B1G tournament, which will take place at Penn State from April 29 through May 2.

Softball:

Result(s): 

• 4/16: 7-0 win over Iowa
• 4/17: 9-7 win over Iowa
• 4/17: 7-4 win over Iowa
• 4/18: 5-2 loss vs Iowa

The Wildcats bounced back from a tough series against Minnesota last weekend by taking 3-of-4 from Iowa in Iowa City. Northwestern’s bats woke up despite facing a Hawkeye staff with three pitchers with an ERA below 2.00.

The highlight of the weekend occurred in the opener, as Danielle Williams sat down all 21 batters she faced on her way to a perfect game. Rachel Lewis carried the offense, going 4-for-4 and scoring three times.

The ‘Cats swept Saturday’s doubleheader on the back of Maeve Nelson, who went 6-for-8 with five RBIs and two runs scored. Morgan Newport pitched five solid innings in game one to earn the victory, and Williams followed up her perfect game by earning the win in game two with 5.2 effective frames.

On Sunday, Iowa’s Lindy Milkowski hit a grand slam in the first inning, and three Iowa pitchers were able to quiet the Wildcats’ offense as the Hawkeyes earned a 5-2 victory to avoid the sweep. 

The Wildcats will stay on the road next weekend and face Michigan for four games in Ann Arbor.