Northwestern University Athletics
Saturday, April 4
Rosemont, Ill.
7 pm CT
Northwestern
vs
Michigan
Photo by: Ryan Kuttler/Northwestern Athletics
'Cats Head to DePaul for Midweek Matchup Following Three-Game Set vs. Michigan
4/7/2026 4:28:00 PM | Softball
CHICAGO – Following a three-game weekend set vs. Michigan, Northwestern will head down Lakeshore Drive for a midweek matchup with DePaul.
First pitch is scheduled for 4 pm CT on Wednesday (originally scheduled for Tuesday but moved due to the forecast) at the Blue Demons' Cacciatore Stadium in Lincoln Park. Admission is free for all fans, and the game will be broadcast live on ESPN+.
The regional rivals have faced off 64 times in their history with Northwestern holding the all-time edge, 43-21. The most recent matchup between the two teams came in 2024, resulting in a 3-1 Northwestern win. DePaul holds a 13-24 record so far this season, most recently dropping two of three games at home to Saint Johns.
This past weekend, Northwestern took the first of a three-game set vs. Michigan, 4-0, on Friday evening before dropping the final two games of the series at The Ballpark at Rosemont.
Marina Mason tossed a complete game shutout during Friday's win, allowing just four hits on the evening while striking out eight batters. It marked the third shutout of the season for Mason. With the game tied 0-0 and two outs in the bottom of the fifth inning, Bridget Donahey came through with a three-RBI double with the bases loaded to break the scoreless tie. The very next pitch, Kelsey Nader sent a double to the left field wall to drive in Donahey and extend the lead to 4-0.
On Saturday evening, Michigan jumped out to a 5-0 lead in the second inning before Northwestern stormed back to tie the game at 5-5 in the third frame. Kate Renschen provided RBI in back-to-back innings, drawing a bases-loaded walk in the second, followed by a two-out RBI-single in the third to drive in Donahey. Kansas Robinson also launched a two-run homer in the third frame, her seventh long ball of the season. The Wolverines were then able to pull ahead for the 9-5 win.
In Sunday's game, Northwestern scored nine runs in the first two innings of play, but could not hold onto the lead as Michigan pulled out a 11-9 victory in the series rubber match. Robinson started the scoring by driving in Kaylie Avvisato with a sacrifice fly, followed by an RBI-single by Tru Medina in the first frame. In the second innings, Renschen drove in two runs via a two-out RBI-single, Grace Nieto drew a bases-loaded walk, and Avvisato concluded the scoring with a two-RBI single.
Robinson continued her strong campaign over the weekend, leading the 'Cats with a 1.117 OPS and batting .400 (4-for-10) to improve her average in Big Ten play to a team-best .316. Donahey led Northwestern with a .444 average (4-for-9) and two doubles, including the eventual game-winning hit in Friday's meeting with the Wolverines. Her six doubles this season are tied for Emma Raye for best on the team.
Mason's complete game on Friday marked her eighth of the season thus far. She leads Northwestern with a 2.43 ERA, 89.1 IP, and 97 strikeouts this year. Mason's .193 batting average against ranks third in the Big Ten and first among first-years in the conference.
Raye has been the leader for Northwestern at the plate this year, leading the team in average (.344), RBI (35), and home runs (8). Raye has also driven in five or more runs three separate times this season, including a seven RBI performance against Northern Kentucky, and two five RBI games against Illinois and Northern Iowa.
Avvisato enters Wednesday riding a 13-game reached base streak, during which she is hitting a team-best .405 (17-for-42) with 17 runs scored, 23 RBI, six doubles and a .500 on-base percentage.
Following Wednesday's game, Northwestern resumes Big Ten play, traveling to University Park for three games against Penn State. The Wildcats and Nittany Lions will face off at 4 p.m. CT on Friday, 1 p.m. CT on Saturday and close the weekend at 10:30 a.m. CT on Sunday, with all three games airing on B1G+.
First pitch is scheduled for 4 pm CT on Wednesday (originally scheduled for Tuesday but moved due to the forecast) at the Blue Demons' Cacciatore Stadium in Lincoln Park. Admission is free for all fans, and the game will be broadcast live on ESPN+.
The regional rivals have faced off 64 times in their history with Northwestern holding the all-time edge, 43-21. The most recent matchup between the two teams came in 2024, resulting in a 3-1 Northwestern win. DePaul holds a 13-24 record so far this season, most recently dropping two of three games at home to Saint Johns.
This past weekend, Northwestern took the first of a three-game set vs. Michigan, 4-0, on Friday evening before dropping the final two games of the series at The Ballpark at Rosemont.
Marina Mason tossed a complete game shutout during Friday's win, allowing just four hits on the evening while striking out eight batters. It marked the third shutout of the season for Mason. With the game tied 0-0 and two outs in the bottom of the fifth inning, Bridget Donahey came through with a three-RBI double with the bases loaded to break the scoreless tie. The very next pitch, Kelsey Nader sent a double to the left field wall to drive in Donahey and extend the lead to 4-0.
On Saturday evening, Michigan jumped out to a 5-0 lead in the second inning before Northwestern stormed back to tie the game at 5-5 in the third frame. Kate Renschen provided RBI in back-to-back innings, drawing a bases-loaded walk in the second, followed by a two-out RBI-single in the third to drive in Donahey. Kansas Robinson also launched a two-run homer in the third frame, her seventh long ball of the season. The Wolverines were then able to pull ahead for the 9-5 win.
In Sunday's game, Northwestern scored nine runs in the first two innings of play, but could not hold onto the lead as Michigan pulled out a 11-9 victory in the series rubber match. Robinson started the scoring by driving in Kaylie Avvisato with a sacrifice fly, followed by an RBI-single by Tru Medina in the first frame. In the second innings, Renschen drove in two runs via a two-out RBI-single, Grace Nieto drew a bases-loaded walk, and Avvisato concluded the scoring with a two-RBI single.
Robinson continued her strong campaign over the weekend, leading the 'Cats with a 1.117 OPS and batting .400 (4-for-10) to improve her average in Big Ten play to a team-best .316. Donahey led Northwestern with a .444 average (4-for-9) and two doubles, including the eventual game-winning hit in Friday's meeting with the Wolverines. Her six doubles this season are tied for Emma Raye for best on the team.
Mason's complete game on Friday marked her eighth of the season thus far. She leads Northwestern with a 2.43 ERA, 89.1 IP, and 97 strikeouts this year. Mason's .193 batting average against ranks third in the Big Ten and first among first-years in the conference.
Raye has been the leader for Northwestern at the plate this year, leading the team in average (.344), RBI (35), and home runs (8). Raye has also driven in five or more runs three separate times this season, including a seven RBI performance against Northern Kentucky, and two five RBI games against Illinois and Northern Iowa.
Avvisato enters Wednesday riding a 13-game reached base streak, during which she is hitting a team-best .405 (17-for-42) with 17 runs scored, 23 RBI, six doubles and a .500 on-base percentage.
Following Wednesday's game, Northwestern resumes Big Ten play, traveling to University Park for three games against Penn State. The Wildcats and Nittany Lions will face off at 4 p.m. CT on Friday, 1 p.m. CT on Saturday and close the weekend at 10:30 a.m. CT on Sunday, with all three games airing on B1G+.
Players Mentioned
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IF
/ SoftballSoftball - Marina Mason Tosses Complete Game Shutout, 'Cats Earn Game One Win vs. Michigan (4/3/26)
Saturday, April 04
Softball - Wildcats Drop Weekend Finale to No. 17 Oregon After Rally Cut Short (3/28/26)
Sunday, March 29
Softball - Wildcats Run-Rule No. 17 Oregon, 11-3, in Rosemont Home Opener (3/26/26)
Friday, March 27
Softball - Marina Mason Throws No-Hitter, 'Cats Secure Series Sweep at Illinois (3/22/26)
Sunday, March 22
