Softball: Northwestern cruises over Northern Illinois for a much-needed victory

Wildcats bested Huskies this time.

It was smooth sailing for the ‘Cats.

Northwestern cruised to an 11-2 win over Northern Illinois in a single-game showdown on Wednesday afternoon following a series loss against No. 19 Mississippi State.

Northwestern (14-11, 4-0 B1G) faced off against an in-state foe in Northern Illinois (7-17, 2-4 MAC) in Evanston, looking to get back in the win column after having dropped two of its last three contests. Representing the Wildcats in the circle was Emma Blea, still searching for her first win of the season.

Despite high hopes against a struggling Huskies squad, it wasn’t the start expected for head coach Kate Drohan and Co. Still shaking off some nerves, Blea gave up two runs in the top of the first, including a double from third baseman Madison Mathews that swung momentum in favor of the visitors.

Momentum can be fickle, however. The ‘Cats’ bats backed up their starting pitcher with a huge first inning of their own — before NIU starter Hannah Bolly could even record her first out of the game, NU had tied things up with some crafty baserunning, including this photo-finish steal home from speedy centerfielder Kelsey Nader.

The onslaught didn’t end there, either. After star Kansas Robinson got Kaylie Avvisato home with an RBI single, third baseman Bridget Donahey flexed her muscle with a two-run blast — all still without an out. The scoring would end there for the time being, but the ‘Cats had shown they weren’t going to go down that easy.

And the momentum was contagious. Blea looked locked in from then on out, allowing just one hit and no runs while striking out four over the next two innings before her day was done.

Northwestern’s offense didn’t lose its hot start, loading up the bases before eventually scoring three more in the bottom of the second. NU continued to shell Bolly until a call to the bullpen was made. But even a pitching change didn’t end things, as Izzy Cunnea hit a two-run double before Emma Raye capped off a dominant bottom of the second by bringing Cunnea home on an RBI single to practically put the game away, 11-2.

Signe Dohse would eventually come in to replace Blea, and did not disappoint through the remaining two innings with a perfect six-up, six-down performance while striking out one of her own.

There was little worry from then on out, and the game would even be called after just five innings due to the mercy rule.

Northwestern (15-11, 4-0 B1G) returns to action this weekend for a three-game in-conference series on the road against Minnesota from Mar. 28-30.