Wildcats Going Strong

Softball action is heating up as the Big Ten Conference Tournament nears. The Northwestern Wildcats have won eight in a row and now stand at 30-13 on the season (11-5 in Conference play).

The Wildcats are in 4th place in the Big Ten Conference, behind Michigan, Indiana and Minnesota. They are two games out of 1st with seven games remaining. The Wildcats host Iowa (19-26/5-11) for three games this weekend. The Cats then play one game at DePaul (out of conference), before finishing their regular season in Wisconsin for three games against the Badgers 96-8/22-19). The Wildcats should do well in these eight games.

Kenna Wilkey (15-4) and Morgan Newport (11-5) have been workhorses, pitching 211 of the 280 inning played and they have been stellar. Combined, they have 163 strikeouts and an ERA under 3.50, while holding opponents to a batting average under .250.

Offensively, Sabrina Rabin, Rachel Lewis, Marissa Panko and Morgan Nelson are all hitting above .300 with Sammy Nettling just under at .294. All five players have also started all 43 games for the Wildcats. Lily Novak and Kenna Wilkey are both hitting in the .250's. Mac Dunlap is hitting .215, while also starting every game.

I have followed the Wildcats closely for a few seasons. Head Coach Kate Drohan is in her 17th season at the helm, compiling a .620 winning percentage coming into this season. Already one of the all-time greats, Drohan shows no sign of slowing down.

Drohan's staff consists of her twin sister Caryl, former Chicago Bandits pitcher Michelle Gascoigne, Fran Straub, former Bandit Andrea Filler and current Bandit Abby Ramirez. This is a young, but experienced staff. I have interviewed all of them, as well as chatted casually and I know their commitment and passion. These coaches are dedicated to teaching their players, growing the sport and winning, of course.

The Big Ten Tournament will be held at the University of Wisconsin from May 10-12. The Goodman Softball Complex is a beautiful facility which holds about 2,000 fans and “Standing Room Only” crowds are expected.

Obviously, anything can happen in such a tourney, but the Wildcats are peaking at the right time. The Cats beat Minnesota 2 of 3 in Evanston earlier this season. They have a .733 winning percentage in Big Ten play. That all bodes well.

Madison is an easy two hour drive from Chicago. I hope to see a lot of purple in the stands. These young women deserve our support. First though, let's fill the stands at Sharon J. Drysdale Field this weekend as the Cats attempt to send the Hawkeyes back home winless!