2025 Softball Roster

renae cunningham
renae cunningham home run
Photo by: David Dermer/Northwestern Athletics
January 9, 2025, Evanston, IL: Members of the Northwestern Softball team pose for photos as part of Internal Media Days at Walter Athletics Center in Evanston, IL on Thursday, January 9, 2025. (Photo by Ryan Kuttler/Northwestern Athletics)
Jersey Number 4

Renae Cunningham

  • Height:
    5-8
  • Class:
    Sophomore
  • High School:
    Heath HS
  • Hometown:
    Heath, Ohio
2025: Finished with a 2-0 record in seven appearances and 17.2 innings pitched … Collected a save on opening day with a scoreless appearance against Kennesaw State (2/7) … Fired 3.0 innings against No. 5 Tennessee (2/8) … Posted 2.1 scoreless innings and struck out one against No. 18 Virginia Tech (2/14) … Hurled another 2.0 scoreless frames while striking out two in a win over UT Arlington (2/15) … Fired 2.2 innings, allowing no earned runs and striking out one against No. 8 LSU (2/15) … Made four appearances in relief without allowing an earned run at the Mary Nutter Classic (2/21-23) … Her 1.95 ERA through the first three weekends of the season ranked 12th in the Big Ten … Allowed two runs and six hits while striking out six in 5.1 innings of work against Central Michigan (2/28) … Tossed 5.2 scoreless innings, scattering two hits and striking out three to beat Rutgers (4/19). 

2024: Made four starts and 21 appearances as a first year … Finished the year with a 3.39 ERA and 22 strikeouts in 51.2 innings pitched … Recorded four saves, which tied Ashley Miller for first in the Big Ten … Tossed five scoreless innings with eight strikeouts to help the ‘Cats win their first game of the season over Weber State (2/11) … Fired four innings and racked up three strikeouts while holding DePaul to one run to help the Wildcats win their home opener (3/19) … Pitched eight straight scoreless innings across four wins over Ohio State (3/30), Michigan (4/6), Illinois (4/9), and Maryland (4/13) … Threw a season-high six innings while posting four strikeouts in a win over Indiana (5/3) … Tossed a scoreless inning of relief against St. Francis to help Northwestern capture its first win of the Austin Regional (5/17) … Fired three innings to lead the ‘Cats to another Regional win over St. Francis (5/18) … Put up three shutout innings against No. 1 Texas in the final game of the season (5/19).

Career Highs
Innings Pitched....................................................6.0, vs. Indiana (5/3/24)
Strikeouts......................................................8, vs. Weber State (2/11/24)
Fewest Hits Allowed (min. 5 IP)..............2 (2x), last at Rutgers (4/19/25)
Fewest Runs Allowed (min. 5 IP)...................0, last at Rutgers (4/19/25)

At Bats.......................................................2 (2x), last vs. Indiana (5/4/24)
Hits...................................................................1, vs. Ohio State (3/30/24)
Runs.................................................................1, vs. Ohio State (3/30/24)
RBI...................................................................1, vs. Ohio State (3/30/24)
Home Runs......................................................1, vs. Ohio State (3/30/24)
Total Bases......................................................4, vs. Ohio State (3/30/24)

High School: 2022 LCL-Cardinal Player of the Year … Division II Ohioan Advocate Player of the Year … Hit .520 with 15 home runs, and posted a .97 ERA in 109.2 innings pitched as a sophomore … As a junior, hit .605 with 20 home runs, a 2.195 OPS, 31 walks, and only two strikeouts, along with a 1.43 ERA and 143 strikeouts in 117 innings in the circle … First Team All-State in 2021 and 2022 … 2021 Pitcher of the Year … Also has played three seasons of volleyball as an outside and middle hitter … Led her team to two league championships, two district championships, and a regional championship … Plays club softball for Beverly Bandits 18u with head coach Rona Dorsey … Parents are Jackie and Torran Cunningham ... Extra Innings Softball Ranking No 32 in the nation.

Drohan on Cunningham: "Renae has game changing power at the plate and throws a really heavy ball from the mound. She elevates the game and the play of everyone around her."
Softball - 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