Friday, February 14
Baton Rouge, La.
1:30 pm CT
Northwestern
3-3
0
vs
3
#18 Virginia Tech
7-0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
R
H
E
Virginia Tech
0
2
0
0
1
0
0
3
5
0
Northwestern
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
Photo by: Cami Henry/Northwestern Athletics
‘Cats Drop Friday Doubleheader to Pair of Top-25 Teams
2/14/2025 9:38:00 PM | Softball
BATON ROUGE, La. – Northwestern dropped a pair of games in its Friday doubleheader against No. 18 Virginia Tech and No. 7 LSU to kick off the Purple & Gold Challenge, falling 3-0 to Virginia Tech before a 7-1 setback to the hosts, LSU.
The Wildcats will be back in action on Saturday as they face off against UT Arlington at 11:30 am CT, followed by a rematch with LSU at 2 pm CT in a game that will be broadcast live on SEC Network+.
Lauren Boyd made her third start of the season against Virginia Tech and allowed three runs (two earned) in 4.2 innings pitched. The Hokies pulled ahead in the second inning with back-to-back RBI hits, but Boyd responded to strand two runners in scoring position. Boyd went on to retire 10 batters in a row before the Hokies tacked on another run in the bottom of the fifth inning.
The 'Cats jumped out to an early lead in game two against the No. 7 ranked Tigers, with Kelsey Nader and Kansas Robinson each reaching on walks to lead off the game. Emma Raye drove in Nader with a sacrifice fly to put NU in front 1-0.
Riley Grudzielanek got the start for the 'Cats in game two and allowed five earned runs and eight hits in 3.1 innings pitched, striking out two. Signe Dohse entered midway through the game in her first-ever collegiate appearance and allowed four hits and no runs in 2.2 innings pitched while striking out two.
Kaylie Avvisato went 1-for-4 against the Tigers, marking the third game against a ranked opponent in which she has recorded a hit. Grudzielanek went 2-for-3 at the plate, it marked the second multi-hit game of her career and her first since March 16, 2024 against Boston U.
NU's two opponents on Friday now have a combined record of 14-0 to open the season. The Wildcats have now faced a ranked opponent in five of their first seven games to start 2025, already equaling their number of ranked matchups from the 2024 regular season.
The Wildcats will be back in action on Saturday as they face off against UT Arlington at 11:30 am CT, followed by a rematch with LSU at 2 pm CT in a game that will be broadcast live on SEC Network+.
Lauren Boyd made her third start of the season against Virginia Tech and allowed three runs (two earned) in 4.2 innings pitched. The Hokies pulled ahead in the second inning with back-to-back RBI hits, but Boyd responded to strand two runners in scoring position. Boyd went on to retire 10 batters in a row before the Hokies tacked on another run in the bottom of the fifth inning.
The 'Cats jumped out to an early lead in game two against the No. 7 ranked Tigers, with Kelsey Nader and Kansas Robinson each reaching on walks to lead off the game. Emma Raye drove in Nader with a sacrifice fly to put NU in front 1-0.
Riley Grudzielanek got the start for the 'Cats in game two and allowed five earned runs and eight hits in 3.1 innings pitched, striking out two. Signe Dohse entered midway through the game in her first-ever collegiate appearance and allowed four hits and no runs in 2.2 innings pitched while striking out two.
Kaylie Avvisato went 1-for-4 against the Tigers, marking the third game against a ranked opponent in which she has recorded a hit. Grudzielanek went 2-for-3 at the plate, it marked the second multi-hit game of her career and her first since March 16, 2024 against Boston U.
NU's two opponents on Friday now have a combined record of 14-0 to open the season. The Wildcats have now faced a ranked opponent in five of their first seven games to start 2025, already equaling their number of ranked matchups from the 2024 regular season.
Team Stats
Pitching:
W: E. Lemley (3-0)
L: Boyd, Lauren (1-1)
Batting:
2B: T. Martin 1 ; A. Rohs 1
RBI: T. Martin 1 ; A. Rohs 1
Base Running:
RUNS: J. Lynch 1 ; N.Abromavage 1 ; E. Mazzarone 1
Game Leaders
Hitting
AB
3
R
0
H
0
RBI
0
AB
3
R
0
H
0
RBI
0
AB
3
R
0
H
0
RBI
0
Players Mentioned
IF
/ Softball
P/IF
/ Softball
P/U
/ Softball
P/IF
/ Softball
OF
/ Softball
IF
/ SoftballSoftball - Lauren Boyd Tosses Complete Game Shutout, 'Cats Blank Kentucky in NCAA Regional (5/16/25)
Friday, May 16
Softball - 'Cats Storm Back, Secure Series Victory at No. 8 UCLA (5/4/25)
Sunday, May 04
Softball - 'Cats Earn 8-0 Run-Rule Win at No. 8 UCLA (5/2/25)
Saturday, May 03
Softball - Kaylie Avvisato Hits Walk-Off Home Run, 'Cats Take Series vs. Wisconsin (4/27/25)
Sunday, April 27
