No. 25 Northwestern's freshman star blanks Huskers softball in Big Ten series

LINCOLN - One of the nation's top freshman pitchers threw a three-hitter Friday night as No. 25 Northwestern routed Nebraska 8-0 in the first game of their Big Ten softball series.


Danielle Williams scattered three singles and struck out 10 Huskers at Bowlin Stadium. Williams also didn't give up a walk while pitching her 16th complete game and posting her ninth shutout of the season.
The game was scoreless through three innings before the Wildcats (27-7)scored their first run with a sacrifice fly. Northwestern followed with a four-run fifth inning that included two solo home runs and a two-run double.


Northwestern added three runs in the seventh with an RBI double, RBI triple and sacrifice fly.


NU, which had won three of its previous four, was shut out for the eighth time this season and for the seventh time in its past 13 games.


The series continues Saturday with a 1 p.m. game at Bowlin Stadium.
Northwestern (27-7, 7-0)……000 140 3-8 10 0


At Nebraska (13-20, 2-5)…….000 000 0-0 3 2


W: Danielle Williams, 18-3. L: Courtney Wallace, 2-3. 2B: No, Nikki Cuchran, Jordyn Rudd, Lily Novak, Williams. 3B: No, Novak. HR: No, Rachel Lewis, Maeve Nelson. A: 828.