Northwestern University Athletics
2026 Softball Roster
Jersey Number 77
Kate Dowden
- Height:
- 5-9
- Class:
- Sophomore
- High School:
- Lawrence North High School
- Hometown:
- Indianapolis, Indiana
2026: Drove in two runs with a single in a win over Ohio State (2/27) … Singled and came around to score in a win over Northern Kentucky (3/13).
2025: Appeared in 11 games and made a start as a first-year … Batted .500 (4-for-8) on the year with a double, a triple, and a run batted in … Picked up her first career hit with a single against Mississippi State (3/22) … Collected her first career RBI in a win over Minnesota (3/29) … Tripled and scored in a win over Loyola Chicago (4/16) … Notched a single in a win over Wisconsin (4/25).
Career Highs:
At-Bats............ 1 (12x), last at Northern Ky. (3/13/26)
Hits......................1 (4x), last vs. Wisconsin (4/25/25)
Runs................. 1 (3x), last at Northern Ky. (3/13/26)
RBI................................... 2, vs. Ohio State (2/27/26)
Doubles……………….….............. 1, at UIC (4/22/25)
Walks…………….……………….1, at Illinois (3/21/26)
High School: A four-year varsity letter winner for Lawrence North High School … Named to the All-USA Central Indiana Super Team following her junior season in 2023, while also earning Third-Team All-State honors … Ranked among the state leaders with 59 runs scored (Top-10 all-time in state history) while batting .519 with 55 hits, eight triples, five homers, 33 RBI and 17 stolen bases during her junior campaign, helping lead the Wildcats to a Sectional Championship for the second time in three seasons … Four-year honor roll student … Played in the same high school conference as fellow Wildcat Kansas Robinson … Parents are Lance and Nicole Dowden … Anticipated major at Northwestern is communications.
Drohan on Dowden: "Kate is a very dynamic, speedy player who will impact the game in many ways. A true left-handed outfielder, she will be a force on both sides of the ball."
Dowden on Choosing Northwestern: "I chose Northwestern because I wanted to push myself not only in sports but in academics as well. I feel as though I will be able to thrive as not only an athlete, but as a whole at Northwestern and it will show me all the things that I need to know when leaving college."
2025: Appeared in 11 games and made a start as a first-year … Batted .500 (4-for-8) on the year with a double, a triple, and a run batted in … Picked up her first career hit with a single against Mississippi State (3/22) … Collected her first career RBI in a win over Minnesota (3/29) … Tripled and scored in a win over Loyola Chicago (4/16) … Notched a single in a win over Wisconsin (4/25).
Career Highs:
At-Bats............ 1 (12x), last at Northern Ky. (3/13/26)
Hits......................1 (4x), last vs. Wisconsin (4/25/25)
Runs................. 1 (3x), last at Northern Ky. (3/13/26)
RBI................................... 2, vs. Ohio State (2/27/26)
Doubles……………….….............. 1, at UIC (4/22/25)
Walks…………….……………….1, at Illinois (3/21/26)
High School: A four-year varsity letter winner for Lawrence North High School … Named to the All-USA Central Indiana Super Team following her junior season in 2023, while also earning Third-Team All-State honors … Ranked among the state leaders with 59 runs scored (Top-10 all-time in state history) while batting .519 with 55 hits, eight triples, five homers, 33 RBI and 17 stolen bases during her junior campaign, helping lead the Wildcats to a Sectional Championship for the second time in three seasons … Four-year honor roll student … Played in the same high school conference as fellow Wildcat Kansas Robinson … Parents are Lance and Nicole Dowden … Anticipated major at Northwestern is communications.
Drohan on Dowden: "Kate is a very dynamic, speedy player who will impact the game in many ways. A true left-handed outfielder, she will be a force on both sides of the ball."
Dowden on Choosing Northwestern: "I chose Northwestern because I wanted to push myself not only in sports but in academics as well. I feel as though I will be able to thrive as not only an athlete, but as a whole at Northwestern and it will show me all the things that I need to know when leaving college."
Softball - Wildcats Earn Series Sweep at Penn State with 17-3 Run-Rule (4/12/26)
Sunday, April 12
Softball - 'Cats Run-Rule Penn State, 13-4, Claim Series Victory (4/11/26)
Saturday, April 11
Softball - 'Cats Open Weekend at Penn State with 8-2 Win (4/10/26)
Friday, April 10
Softball - Marina Mason Tosses Complete Game Shutout, 'Cats Earn Game One Win vs. Michigan (4/3/26)
Saturday, April 04
