Sports
Northwestern Wildcats To Play Fall Ball
The Northwestern Wildcats will play 5 games of softball over the course of three Sundays (September 24, October 1 and October 8).
For those of you itching for more softball (like me), the Northwestern Wildcats will play six games of fall ball. The exact game times have not been announced, but opponents, dates and locations are set.
The Wildcats will open the fall ball season on the road in Des Moines, IA, on Sunday, September 24. Kirkwood Community College and Drake are the opponents.
Next up is another split opponent doubleheader on Sunday, October 1 in Evanston. The visiting teams are Loyola and Spoon City Community College.
Find out what's happening in Evanstonfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
The Wildcats close out the fall ball schedule with another home game on Sunday, October 8 against DePaul. This Chicago rivalry is always extra fun, especially for this DePaul alum and Wildcats reporter.
The Wildcats are coached by Kate Drohan, with twin sister Caryl Drohan as Associate Head Coach. Assistant Coach Michelle Gascoigne and Volunteer Assistant Fran Strub round out the staff.
Find out what's happening in Evanstonfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Leading the team are returning seniors Marissa Panko (IF/OF), Sabrina Rabin (OF), Sammy Nettling (C), Abbey Boyd (OF) and Renee Ariola (OF). The 19 person roster will also feature 5 first year players.
In the 2017 season, the Wildcats finished 25-29, including 10-13 in Big Ten Conference play. They were 10-4 at home. Despite the under .500 record, the Wildcats came on strong in the second half of the season and there is plenty of hope for more improvement in 2018.
The 2017 fall season will provide a brief glimpse into that 2018 season. It will also provide all of us softball fans one last bit of softball! With no softball since the Chicago Bandits were eliminated from the National Pro Fastpitch playoffs a month ago, my softball itch is big and I can’t wait for fall ball. Go Wildcats!
