Recently in Softball Category
Michigan 9, Northwestern 3
Trailing 3-2 in the bottom of the third, junior Caitlin Blanchard crushed a two-run homer to put the No. 10-ranked University of Michigan softball team on top for good in a 9-3 victory over Northwestern today at the Wilpon Complex, home of Alumni Field. Blanchard swung at the first pitch she saw and drove in freshman Sierra Romero, who had reached after being hit by a pitch for the second time in the game. RECAP
Minnesota 5, Indiana 4
Senior catcher Kari Dorle fittingly scored the game-winning run on an infield single by sophomore left fielder Erica Meyer to cap a two-run rally in the bottom of the seventh, as Minnesota completed a weekend sweep of Indiana with a 5-4 win on Senior Day. RECAP
Penn State 3, Nebraska 2
In front of the largest crowd in Penn State softball history at Beard Field and Nittany Lion Softball Park, the Nittany Lions rallied to take a 3-2 victory over No. 14/15 Nebraska on Senior Day. Fittingly, senior Lauren Yao provided the three-run double to push Penn State (15-32, 5-16 Big Ten) past the Huskers (38-12, 15-6 Big Ten). The win is the first over a ranked opponent for the Nittany Lions since a 5-3 victory over No. 22 LSU Feb. 10, 2012, and the first over a Top 15 team since downing No. 9 Oklahoma, 5-2, March 18, 2011. RECAP
Iowa 8, Purdue 2
The University of Iowa softball team downed Purdue, 8-2, on Sunday to complete the three-game sweep in the regular season finale at the Boilermaker Softball Complex. The Hawkeyes topped Purdue, 2-0, in eight innings on Saturday, and won the opener Friday, 4-3, in nine innings. The Hawkeyes have won five-straight games, and six of their last eight overall. The five-game winning streak matches Iowa's longest of the season. RECAP
Wisconsin 3, Michigan State 0 (Game 1); Michigan State 11, Wisconsin 5 (Game 2)
Game 1: In game one, Cassandra Darrah earned her 23th win of the season in her 22nd complete game of the year. Wisconsin jumped out to a quick 1-0 lead on a Mary Massei leadoff home run in the bottom of the first inning. Massei repeated the feat in the fifth inning to give the Badgers a 2-0 lead and Stephanie Peace's RBI single later in the frame plated Wisconsin's third run. The Badgers' three runs proved to be all the offense they needed as Darrah held Michigan State to just six hits and no runs in her sixth shutout of the season. RECAP
Game 2: Michigan State softball split the day at No. 25 Wisconsin. In game one the Spartans fell, 3-0, before rallying for a win in game two, 11-5. MSU won the series after picking up the win in game one, 9-4. Sophomore Stephanie Sanders tallied four RBIs and senior Jayme O'Bryant recorded five to lead the MSU offense. Michigan State owns a 24-24 record on the season and 9-10 in Big Ten play. RECAP
Ohio State 3, Illinois 0 (Game 1); Illinois 1, Ohio State 0 (Game 2)
Game 1: Led by sophomore pitcher Alex DiDomenico, Ohio State shut out Illinois, 3-0, in game one Sunday at Eichelberger Field. DiDomenico, a native of Youngstown, Ohio, notched her ninth complete game shutout of the season, limiting Illinois to five hits, no runs, one walk with nine strikeouts. RECAP
Game 2: Senior pitcher Pepper Gay threw over 300 pitches without allowing an earned run in back-to-back complete games on Senior Day, but limited offense from the Illini and a pair of errors in the fourth inning of game one led to a doubleheader split with Ohio State. The Buckeyes plated three unearned runs in the first game to tie the series with a 3-0 victory, but the Illini used a walk-off RBI single by Katie Repole in game two to defeat the Buckeyes 1-0 in the season finale. RECAP
Michigan 16, Northwestern 1
A 16-run barrage, including a record-setting home run from freshman Sierra Romero, carried the No. 10-ranked University of Michigan softball team to a 16-1 five-inning decision over the Northwestern Wildcats today at the Wilpon Complex, home of Alumni Field. Romero crushed a two-run home run in the first inning to put the Wolverines on top for good. It marked the 22nd homer of the season for the freshman shortstop and established a new single-season U-M record. RECAP
Minnesota 8, Indiana 0 (Game 1); Minnesota 1, Indiana 0 (8) (Game 2)
Game 1: Six extra-base hits powered the University of Minnesota softball team to an 8-0 win in the first game of a doubleheader against Indiana. Catcher Kari Dorle started the scoring with a one-run homerun in the first inning. Later in the game, right fielder Kayla Wenner hit a two-run homer over the outfield netting. Minnesota also hit four doubles, including two by left fielder Erica Meyer, before an RBI single by Dorle scored Tyler Walker to end the game. RECAP
Game 2: Sophomore shortstop Tyler Walker's team-leading 11th home run of the season gave Minnesota a 1-0 walk-off victory against Indiana in eight innings on Saturday, as the Gophers swept a doubleheader from the Hoosiers. Walker, who had just missed hitting a home run in her previous at bat to lead off the sixth inning, didn't leave any doubt about her eighth-inning blast over the wall in right center. RECAP
Nebraska 3, Penn State 1
The 14th-ranked Nebraska softball team handed Head Coach Rhonda Revelle her 800th career victory with a 3-1 series-opening victory at Penn State on Saturday. The Huskers, who have won nine of their last 11 games, was led by junior right-hander Tatum Edwards, who fired a three-hitter and allowed only a single run. Edwards (24-8) did not allow a hit after the third inning, while adding three strikeouts. RECAP
Iowa 2, Purdue 0 (8)
The University of Iowa softball team defeated Purdue, 2-0, in eight innings on Saturday at the Boilermaker Softball Complex in the middle game of its final regular season series. Iowa clinches the series victory with its second-straight extra-inning win in West Lafayette. The Hawkeyes won the opener Friday, 4-3, in nine innings. The Hawkeyes have won four-straight games, and five of their last seven overall. Iowa improves to 29-23 and 7-15 in Big Ten play; Purdue falls to 22-30 and 8-14 in conference action. The 29th victory marks the most for Iowa since finishing 42-16 in 2009. RECAP
Michigan State 9, Wisconsin 4
Michigan State softball downed Wisconsin, 9-4, in the first game of the series. The Spartans scored runs in four innings and junior Kelly Smith struck out nine batters in 5 2/3 innings pitched. MSU improved its record to 23-23 on the season, 8-9 in Big Ten play. RECAP
Michigan 2, Northwestern 1
Sophomore pitcher Sara Driesenga threw a complete-game two-hitter for the No. 10 University of Michigan softball team against Northwestern tonight at the Wilpon Complex, home of Alumni Field. U-M locks up a 2-1 victory and the sixth consecutive Big Ten crown for the Wolverines, who have the most conference titles all-time with 16 and are the only team to ever win six consecutively. Driesenga struck out the first two Wildcats batters of the game and closed the game with a called third strike -- her eighth punchout on the night. RECAP
Iowa 4, Purdue 3 (9)
The University of Iowa softball team defeated Purdue, 4-3, in nine innings on Friday at the Boilermaker Softball Complex in the opening game of its final regular season series. Tied 3-3 in the top of the ninth, Bradi Wall scored the game-winning run on a sacrifice fly by Michelle Zoeller. The Hawkeyes eclipse their win total from a year ago when they finished 27-26 overall. The 28th victory marks the most for Iowa since finishing 42-16 in 2009. The Hawkeyes won 25 games in 2010, and 27 in each of the last two seasons. RECAP
Illinois 6, Ohio State 4
The University of Illinois captured its 10th consecutive victory tonight, with late inning magic and a bit of good luck. After falling behind 4-0 midway through the fourth, the Fighting Illini clawed their way back into the game, scoring six unanswered runs to defeat Ohio State, 6-4. The win pushes Illinois ahead of Ohio State and into sole control of sixth place in the Big Ten standings, sitting at 21-25 (10-11 Big Ten). With the loss, Ohio State drops to 32-20 (9-12 Big Ten). RECAP
Iowa at Purdue
Game 1 - Friday, 4 p.m.
Game 2 - Saturday, 1 p.m.
Game 3 - Sunday, 1 p.m.
Northwestern at Michigan
Game 1 - Friday, 6 p.m.
Game 2 - Saturday, 1 p.m., BTN
Game 3 - Sunday, Noon, BTN
Ohio State at Illinois
Game 1 - Friday, 7 p.m., BTN.com
Game 2 - Saturday, 3 p.m., BTN.com
Game 3 - Sunday, 2 p.m., BTN.com
Indiana at Minnesota
Game 1 - Friday, 7 p.m.
Game 2 - Saturday, 3:30 p.m., BTN
Game 3 - Sunday, 2 p.m.
Michigan State at Wisconsin
Game 1 - Saturday, 2 p.m., BTN.com
Game 2 - Sunday, 1 p.m.
Game 3 - Sunday, 3 p.m.
Nebraska at Penn State
Game 1 - Saturday, 1 p.m.
Game 2 - Sunday, 2:30 p.m., BTN
Game 3 - Monday, 1 p.m.
Seven Big Ten standouts were named first- or second-team Academic All-District honorees, it was announced on Thursday afternoon by the College Sports Information Directors of America. Four players were awarded first-team distinction, making them eligible for Academic All-America accolades, which will be announced later this month. Northwestern's Marisa Bast and Purdue's Andie Varsho were named first-team honorees in District 5, while Minnesota's Kaitlyn Richardson and Wisconsin's Mary Massei were selected to the District 6 first team. Earning second-team honors in District 5 included Indiana's Amanda Wagner, Michigan's Sara Driesenga and Purdue's Erika Petruzzi.
Illinois 4, Southern Illinois 2 (8)
Iowa 8, Iowa State 3
Michigan State 3, Eastern Michigan
Northwestern 8, UIC 5
Ohio State 4, Wright State 0
Ohio State 4, Wright State 0
Illinois at Southern Illinois, 5 p.m.
Iowa State at Iowa, 7:30 p.m., BTN.com
Eastern Michigan at Michigan State, 5 p.m., BTN
Northwestern at UIC, 7 p.m.
Wright State at Ohio State (DH), 5 p.m., BTN.com
The Big Ten is one of three conferences, joining the SEC and Pac-12, with six or more teams in the top 50 of the latest RPI. Nebraska (sixth) climbs four spots this week, while Michigan (12th), Wisconsin (23rd), Minnesota (29th), Iowa (34th) and Northwestern (45th) are also among the top 50.
Four Big Ten teams are receiving votes in the national rankings this week, including two in the top 15. Michigan appears at No. 10 in both the USA Softball and NFCA polls, while Nebraska is 14th in the USA Softball poll and tied for 16th in the NFCA standings. Wisconsin appears at No. 25 in the NFCA rankings and joins Minnesota among the teams also receiving votes in the USA Softball poll.
DePaul at Northwestern, 5 p.m.
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