Northwestern
21-15-1
Loyola (Chicago)
12-30
‘Cats Run-Rule Ramblers, 13-0, in Midweek Clash
4/16/2025 8:13:00 PM | Softball
13 different Wildcats combined for 15 total hits in just four innings at the plate. Kelsey Nader went 2-for-2 with a double and two runs scored in what marked her 11th multi-hit game of the season, tied for the most on the team.
In the circle, the 'Cats allowed just one hit in 5.0 innings. Riley Grudzielanek earned the win, retiring 12 of the 15 batters she faced en route to earning her eighth win on the year. Emma Blea pitched the final inning and retired three of the four batters she faced.
Kaylie Avvisato started off the scoring for the 'Cats with a two-run home run in the bottom of the first inning, her second homer in the last four games and fourth long ball of the season. Four batters later, Isabel Cunnea extended the lead to 3-0 with an RBI-infield single to drive in Kansas Robinson.
Making her first-ever start at third base, Signe Dohse launched a three-run home run off Welsh-Ryan Arena in the bottom of the first inning to extend the Wildcats' lead to 6-0. It marked the second-career hit for Dohse, her first of the season and her first-career home run in what also happened to be the first at-bat she ever took at Sharon J. Drysdale Field.
First at-bat at The J.
— Northwestern Softball (@NUSBcats) April 17, 2025
First-career homer.
Special moment for @SigneDohse ?? pic.twitter.com/80qcxfdNtW
The Wildcats added to their lead in the second inning as Grace Nieto and Nader led off the frame with back-to-back singles, capitalizing on the base paths after a series of Rambler miscues. Later that inning, Robinson drove in Nader with a one-out RBI-single to right field. It marked the team-leading 30th RBI of the season for Robinson, who also led the team with 36 RBI last season.
In the bottom of the third inning, Ayana Lindsey extended the 'Cats' lead to 10-0 with a two-run home run down the left field line. It marked the second homer of the season for Lindsey, her other being a game-winning blast in the seventh inning vs. Southern Miss on February 9, and the fifth homer of her career.
A series of 'Cats recorded career firsts in the bottom of the fourth inning as Northwestern strung together four-consecutive hits from pinch hitters to open the frame. Kate Dowden led off the inning with a triple to right-center field, marking the second hit of her career and her first for extra bases. The next at-bat, Lauren Curry drove in Dowden with a pinch hit RBI-single to left field, marking the first-career hit for Curry.
First-Career Hit for Lauren Curry! ??
— Northwestern Softball (@NUSBcats) April 16, 2025
Pinch-hit single drives in Kate Dowden!
B4 | NU 11, Loyola 0 pic.twitter.com/02ZRxBx88L
Lauren Sciborski kept the hit parade going the next at-bat with a pinch-hit RBI-double, her second double of the season. Grace Minarovic proceeded to drive in Sciborski with a pinch-hit RBI-single off the left field wall in what marked the first-career RBI for the sophomore.
Wednesday's win wrapped up an eight-game homestand for the Wildcats. Northwestern is back in action on Friday as it resumes conference play with a three-game road series at Rutgers. First pitch is scheduled for 2pm CT, with action streamed live on B1G+.
Team Stats
Pitching:
W: Grudzielanek, Riley (8-9)
L: Peyton Pepkowski (6-19)
Batting:
2B: Haley Wallace 1
Base Running:
HBP: Nat Lesnicki 1 ; Abby Johnson 1
Batting:
2B: Nader, Kelsey 1 ; Sciborski, Lauren 1
3B: Dowden, Kate 1
HR: Avvisato, Kaylie 1 ; Dohse, Signe 1 ; Lindsey, Ayana 1
RBI: Avvisato, Kaylie 2 ; Robinson, Kansas 1 ; Curry, Lauren 1 ; Sciborski, Lauren 1 ; Cunnea, Isabel 1 ; Minarovic, Grace 1 ; Dohse, Signe 3 ; Lindsey, Ayana 2
Base Running:
RUNS: Nieto, Grace 1 ; Nader, Kelsey 2 ; Avvisato, Kaylie 1 ; Robinson, Kansas 1 ; Dowden, Kate 1 ; Donahey, Bridget 2 ; Sciborski, Lauren 1 ; Minarovic, Grace 2 ; Dohse, Signe 1 ; Lindsey, Ayana 1
SB: Donahey, Bridget 1 ; Minarovic, Grace 2
