Northwestern
28-17-1, 15-6
#8 UCLA
47-8, 17-4
Wildcats' Rally Falls Short in Game Two at No. 8 UCLA
5/3/2025 5:18:00 PM | Softball
The Bruins jumped out to an 11-0 lead after scoring three runs in the first inning, five unearned runs in the second inning and three runs in the bottom of the third. However, Northwestern surged back with eight-straight runs, four in the fourth inning and four more in the fifth inning, to cut the deficit to just three heading into the bottom of the fifth. UCLA responded a four-spot of their own to set up a rubber match on Sunday.
Four different Wildcats hit home runs as seven 'Cats combined for nine hits on the game. Northwestern is the first team to score eight runs in back-to-back games against UCLA since Oregon did so in 2014
Ayana Lindsey got the Wildcats on the board in the top of the fourth inning with a one-out double. It marked the fourth RBI of the weekend for Lindsey, and her second-straight game with an RBI.
Immediately following Lindsey's double, Avery Garden blasted a three-run home run to left-center field to cut the deficit to 11-4. It marked Garden's fifth homer of the season, as well as her second-straight game with a home run. The first-year from Allen Park, Michigan is now hitting .349 (15-for-43) with 14 RBI and a team-high .581 slugging percentage in Big Ten play this season.
Three-Run Bomb CRUSHED by Avery Garden.
— Northwestern Softball (@NUSBcats) May 3, 2025
Her second-straight game with a homer! ?? pic.twitter.com/wiN1rJFEwy
The Wildcat bats stayed hot in the top of the fifth inning, as Kansas Robinson blasted a two-run home run to left-center field, her eighth long ball on the year. Robinson now leads the team with 22 RBI in conference play and 38 RBI on the season – a new single-season career high for the returning All-American. Robinson is currently on track to become the first Wildcat to lead the team in RBI in consecutive seasons since Andrea Filler did so in 2016 and 2017.
TWO-RUN BLAST for KR ????
— Northwestern Softball (@NUSBcats) May 3, 2025
Kansas Robinson goes opposite field with a two-run homer to cut the deficit! pic.twitter.com/WfJ8rDMB8H
Immediately following Robinson, Isabel Cunnea blasted a solo home run on the first pitch she saw to give the 'Cats back-to-back home runs for a second-straight game. It marked Cunnea's second home run of the season and her 21st RBI. The sophomore from Oak Lawn, Illinois now leads the team in conference play this season with a .352 batting average (19-for-54).
BACK-TO-BACK BLASTS ?
— Northwestern Softball (@NUSBcats) May 3, 2025
Izzy Cunnea, first pitch swinging ????
T5 | UCLA 11, NU 7 pic.twitter.com/EjdmZCAyU0
The power surge was not finished as the very next at-bat, Lauren Sciborski hit a solo home run in what marked back-to-back-to-back homers for the Wildcats to cut the deficit to 11-8. Scibroski has now recorded an extra-base hit in four of her eight hits on the season, as well as 12 of her 22 career hits.
BACK. TO. BACK. TO. BACK.
— Northwestern Softball (@NUSBcats) May 3, 2025
Make it THREE straight homers with a solo blast from Lauren Sciborski! pic.twitter.com/ReWwSvx9E3
Sciborski and Cunnea both finished with multi-hit games and two runs scored. Also reaching base multiple times was Grace Nieto in the leadoff spot, who went 1-for-3 with a walk. Nieto has now reached base in 6-of-8 plate appearances this weekend at UCLA.
The Wildcats will look to secure a series victory in the regular season finale on Sunday, with first pitch from Westwood scheduled for 1 pm CT on Big Ten Network.
Team Stats
Pitching:
W: Terry, Kaitlyn (16-4)
L: Blea, Emma (1-1)
Batting:
2B: Lindsey, Ayana 1
HR: Robinson, Kansas 1 ; Cunnea, Isabel 1 ; Sciborski, Lauren 1 ; Garden, Avery 1
RBI: Robinson, Kansas 2 ; Cunnea, Isabel 1 ; Sciborski, Lauren 1 ; Lindsey, Ayana 1 ; Garden, Avery 3
Base Running:
RUNS: Donahey, Bridget 1 ; Robinson, Kansas 1 ; Cunnea, Isabel 2 ; Sciborski, Lauren 2 ; Lindsey, Ayana 1 ; Garden, Avery 1
HBP: Nader, Kelsey 1
Batting:
2B: Clements, Jessica 2 ; Pola, Savannah 1
HR: Ramirez, Alexis 2
RBI: Clements, Jessica 2 ; Pola, Savannah 1 ; Woolery, Jordan 1 ; Grant, Megan 1 ; Bragg, Kaniya 1 ; Ramirez, Alexis 6
SF: Pola, Savannah 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Clements, Jessica 3 ; Pola, Savannah 2 ; Woolery, Jordan 3 ; Grant, Megan 1 ; Bragg, Kaniya 2 ; Ramirez, Alexis 2 ; Hatch, Lauren 1 ; Terry, Kaitlyn 1
HBP: Slimp, Rylee 1
