Evanston, Ill. – Brace yourself for an exciting showdown! The Northwestern Wildcats conclude their intense eight-game homestand this Wednesday as they prepare to take on the Loyola Ramblers. Fans can catch all the action at Sharon J. Drysdale Field at 4 PM CT.
A Classic Rivarly: Northwestern vs. Loyola
This matchup marks the 28th all-time meeting between these two Chicago rivals, with Northwestern dominating the series with a 19-8 lead. The Wildcats have been on a roll against the Ramblers, winning the last six consecutive games dating back to 2014. Last season, the ‘Cats triumphed over Loyola with a convincing 7-3 victory at The J, setting the stage for what promises to be yet another thrilling contest.
Recent Performance: Northwestern’s Rollercoaster Weekend
In their most recent encounter, the Wildcats faced off against No. 21 Nebraska, struggling through a three-game series that dropped their record to 9-4 in Big Ten play, currently placing them fourth in the conference standings. The Wildcats have confronted 12 ranked teams so far this season, showcasing their mettle and resilience on the field.
Standout Players
Despite the rocky weekend, several players shone brightly:
- Isabel Cunnea led the offense, hitting .333 (2-for-6) during the series, while Kelsey Nader was a force on base, reaching safely four times with three walks and a single.
- Grace Nieto added her flair with two hits, a walk, and an impressive team-high of three stolen bases over the series, pushing her season total to a career-best 11 stolen bases.
Two significant power hitters emerged as well:
- Kaylie Avvisato, who launched her third home run of the season on Saturday, and Kansas Robinson, who followed up with her sixth home run, propelling herself to a team-leading 29 RBIs this season.
Stellar Performances and Rising Stars
Avvisato is on the brink of elite company; she’s just one stolen base away from becoming the first Wildcat to steal 20 bases in a season since Skyler Shellmyer in 2023. With a consistent performance that includes a batting average of .368 and 11 multi-hit games, she is on track to set a memorable record as a rookie.
Meanwhile, Robinson has been positively electric at the plate, boasting an astounding .464 batting average (13-for-28) over her last nine games and has powered through with four home runs during this span. Her remarkable performance in last season’s meeting with the Ramblers, where she went 3-for-4 with a solo homer, adds to the excitement ahead of Wednesday’s game.
Pitching Strength: Lauren Boyd
In the pitching department, Lauren Boyd has been nothing short of spectacular. In her recent outing against Nebraska, she allowed only two earned runs and five hits over 6.1 innings, striking out three batters. Boyd currently leads the Wildcats’ pitching staff with an impressive 3.00 ERA, holding opponents to a mere .231 batting average.
What Lies Ahead
After the showdown with Loyola, the Wildcats hit the road for a crucial conference series against Rutgers. Mark your calendars for April 18 at 2 PM CT as the Wildcats seek to continue their pursuit of success in the Big Ten. This series promises to be streamed live on B1G+, ensuring fans don’t miss a moment of the action.
Don’t forget to return home on April 25-27 for the final series of the season as Northwestern takes on Wisconsin. Every game is a chance to make memories!
With its formidable roster and thrilling games, Northwestern University continues to be a force to reckon with in collegiate softball. Stay tuned for more updates as the Wildcats aim for glory!
