Northwestern
Indiana
Wildcats Run-Rule Hoosiers, 11-1
4/23/2004 12:00:00 AM | Softball
April 23, 2004
EVANSTON, Ill. -- Kristen Amegin hit her eighth home run of the season Friday in a five-inning, 11-1 Northwestern victory over Indiana, breaking the school's single-season record of seven. The sophomore was 2-for-2 in the game with three RBIs and a pair of runs scored to lead the Wildcats' offensive juggernaut.
The new NU single-season home run queen hit a two-run blast off Indiana starter Megan Roark to right center field in the second inning to give her the record. She hit her seventh homer of the season last Sunday against Ohio State, tying her with Gretchen Barnes, Karen Lemke and Sue Hebson.
"This is a big deal for Kristen," Northwestern head coach Kate Drohan said. "She is hitting the ball so well right now. It is great to see her get the record."
The Wildcats (25-13, 8-5 Big Ten) wasted no time pouncing on Roark (8-8), pounding out six hits to score six runs in the bottom of the first inning. Singles by Carri Leto, Eryn Manahan and Amegin; doubles by Sheila McCorkle and Jamie Dotson and a three-run triple by Garland Cooper provided the offense for NU, which sent 10 batters to plate in the inning.
Northwestern kept its foot on the gas in the second inning, pouring on another five runs on singles by Manahan and J.C. Kira as well as Amegin's record-shattering blast over the right center field fence. A pair of walks and an Indiana (26-26, 2-9 Big Ten) error helped the Wildcat cause. Kira finished the game with a pair of RBIs.
Ten of the 13 NU players who appeared in the game offensively scored, included pinch-runners Lauren Olson and Elizabeth Piatt.
"We had a really good week of practice," Drohan said. "The girls were excited to come play today and it showed."
Freshman Eileen Canney was on cruise control in the circle for the 'Cats, striking out eight and allowing only one run on three hits to improve her record to 14-2 on the year.
Northwestern is now riding a seven-game winning streak, and has won its last six Big Ten contests. The last time the Wildcats run-ruled a Big Ten opponent came March 23, 2000, when current NU assistant coach Lauren Schwendimann threw a perfect game to defeat Michigan in five innings.
Northwestern returns to action at Noon Saturday at Sharon J. Drysdale Field for the second game of its series with Indiana.
