Northwestern's baseball and softball teams show promise after successful 2013 seasons. There's plenty of room for improvement, though. See how the 'Cats fared on the diamond this spring.
Softball
Despite a disappointing end to the season when it didn’t receive an NCAA Tournament bid, the softball team had a very successful 2013. The 45th-ranked Wildcats finished with a 31-22 record, good for their best finish in four years and fifth place in the Big Ten.
Northwestern didn’t look to be headed in that direction early on, however. The season began with the Kajikawa Classic, a tournament to which NU is invited annually. While the Wildcats usually have strong performances, they went an uncharacteristic 0-5 in this year's installment.
Despite early struggles, there was no panic, and the team won eight out of its next nine matchups, including a 3-2 upset of then-No. 4, Tennessee. The calling card was defense: The 'Cats gave up an average of just three runs during that stretch.
When conference play came around, they showed just how unpredictable their hitting could be. The Wildcats could go on multiple-inning slumps and then break through with a monstrous six or seven-run inning at any point. Still, while their batting could be erratic, the defense would usually come through.
A huge reason for the Wildcats' success was sophomore pitcher Amy Letourneau. After a strong freshman campaign, Letourneau broke into the national spotlight in her second year. She was an absolute workhorse, starting 32 of the team’s 53 games and registering a complete game in 29 of them. The team’s clear leader finished with an impressive 21-13 record and a 2.43 ERA.
She even etched her name in the record books in the process by tossing two no-hitters just a week apart. Her pitching prowess was nearly matched by her performance from the plate, as she finished the season as the Big Ten’s strikeout leader and batting champion. On the year, she was awarded two National Player of the Week awards as well as being named first team All-Big Ten.
Letourneau wasn’t the only Wildcat to receive accolades. Outfielder Mari Majam was named to the first team as well, and the second team was graced by shortstop Anna Edwards and third baseman Marisa Bast.
The best part? None of those four players are seniors. They will lead a team that loses just three seniors going into next season, and although the Wildcats may have fallen short of the NCAAs, the expectations will be pretty high in 2014.
Baseball
The baseball team hadn’t been nearly as successful over the past few seasons as the softball team, but after this year, it’s clear that head coach Paul Stevens and the NU program are committed to building toward the future.
The 22-26 record was nothing to marvel at, but rebuilding is a process that takes multiple seasons. That process was set in motion by one game that changed the complexion of the entire season: The 6-0 defeat of University of Michigan at Wrigley Field on April 20.
It wasn’t just about the final score. It was about increasing program support, and beginning a multi-year deal to play at the legendary ballpark was a big step toward doing just that. Over 4,000 fans showed up to watch the thrashing, far greater than the turnouts at Rocky Miller Park.
The big day wouldn’t have been nearly as monumental if the Wildcats hadn’t been able to perform like they did. Luckily, they had Luke Farrell on their side. The senior right-hander gave up just three hits and fanned nine batters in his complete game gem.
The son of Boston Red Sox manager John Farrell wasn’t just a one-game wonder. He delivered several other dominant performances, including a two-hit shutout in eight innings of work in an 8-0 rout of Ohio State.
Farrell finished his career as one of the best pitchers Northwestern has seen. He ended the season second in the Big Ten in strikeouts (81) and third in ERA (2.18), good for 10th-best in Northwestern history. This season served to significantly raise his stock as he heads to the MLB Draft.
For his work, Farrell was named second team All-Big Ten, on which he was joined by senior second baseman Zach Morton. Junior outfielder Kyle Ruchim followed close behind with a spot on the third team.
Unfortunately for NU, Farrell and Morton are two of five seniors who were crucial to the success of the program, so many of the younger players will have to step up to fill the voids. But if the 'Cats can sustain the energy and excitement that Wrigley Field brought to the team, this program might still be on the rise.