North by Northwestern

While the lacrosse team played at Wrigley and the tennis teams played in their respective Big Ten Tournaments, a few other teams were also in action this weekend. The women’s golf team played its conference tournament, and the baseball and softball teams played in series against Big Ten opponents.

Women’s golf:

For the third time in the last four years, Northwestern has placed in the top three in the Big Ten. Led by junior Hana Lee, who finished with a four-over 220 for the tournament, the ‘Cats posted a 41-over score as a team. Lee posted her lowest score of the tournament in the final round with a 70. She also came in third individually, only four strokes behind the leader. Lee earned a spot on the Big Ten All-Championships team with her top-six finish. Next, the Wildcats must wait and see if they are selected to compete in the NCAA women’s golf championship, which will be May 20-23.

Softball:

The softball team’s hot streak was abruptly ended by Ohio State, who swept the ‘Cats (29-14, 11-9) in a three-game series. This was the first time Northwestern had been swept this year, and were their first losses since April 13. The No. 25 ‘Cats couldn’t contain the Buckeyes late in games, and that came back to bite them. In the final game, the normally consistent pitcher Kristen Wood gave up four runs – three earned – in three innings of work before freshman Nicole Bond came in for relief. But, Bond didn’t have any more success. The team will be back at it Wednesday at DePaul before starting its final series of the season against Michigan State next weekend.

Baseball:

Out in East Lansing, the baseball team didn’t have much luck either, getting swept by Michigan State in a three-game series. Those losses snapped a string of games where the ‘Cats had won six of their last seven. The closest game of the series was the first one, which the Wildcats (12-28, 4-13) lost 3-2. In that game, pitcher Reed Mason went toe-to-toe with Mick VanVossen, going six innings and giving up three runs. They’ll play again Wednesday at Northern Illinois before starting another Big Ten conference series against Michigan next weekend.