Two Wildcats embrace after a 2021 win. The 2024 team has had plenty to celebrate this season, including back-to-back sweeps of the Wolverines and Terrapins, as well as a win over rival Illinois in the past couple of weeks. Photo by Brandi Simpson / North by Northwestern

Coming off of a clean sweep of the University of Michigan (30-14, 10-3 B1G) last weekend, recording the first time a Northwestern Softball team has ever taken the Wolverines 3-0, the ’Cats held strong versus Maryland to continue their winning streak.

On Friday, NU (27-8, 13-1 B1G) won 5-4 against the University of Maryland  (17-24, 4-10 B1G) with two home run hits. Second-year shortstop Bridget Donahey pulled out the first home run of the day, her fifth of the season, early in the second inning.

The ’Cats proceeded to dominate the second inning with second-year second baseman Kansas Robinson slamming a homer to right-center field allowing third-year center fielder Ayana Lindsey to score.

Graduate pitcher Ashley Miller finished her 12th full game on the pitching mound, helping the ’Cats earn the win.

The ’Cats proved their strength at bat with a 12-1 win in just five innings on Saturday. The Terps started off strong 1-0 at the top of the first inning, with no response from NU.

But graduate left fielder Angela Zedak sealed the top of the second by ending the Terps’ attacking attempt with a diving catch in left field.

At the bottom of the second, the ’Cats began their offensive reign when first-year first baseman Ainsley Muno singled to shortstop, sending Donahey home. Then, second-year right fielder Kelsey Nader had the first home run of the day out to left field that helped Lindsey and first-year infielder Grace Minarovic advance to home plate.

Fourth-year third baseman Hannah Cady and first-year catcher Emma Raye added to the lead with single home runs of their own. Muno’s grand slam in the bottom of the fourth helped seal the game for NU.

On Sunday, Miller began the game by outing Maryland's first hitter, setting the scene for her 13th full game of the season.

In the top of the first, Maryland’s graduate center fielder Jaeda McFarland attempted to steal, but Raye tagged her out to end the inning. During the bottom of the first, Nader hit a single and dove to third thanks to a hit from Zedak. Then Cady stepped up to the plate and sent home Nader and Zedak to score NU’s only two runs for the game.

At the top of the fourth inning, ’Cats Cady, Robinson and Muno had a fantastic double play to knock out first-year outfielder Caitlyn Cornwell and fourth-year third baseman Michaela Jones.

Miller ended the weekend with 15 strikeouts, earning her third Big Ten Pitcher of the Week award.

On Tuesday the ’Cats played Illinois (16-25, 3-10 B1G), beating them 4-1. Raye and Donahey both had homers with Cady and Raye scoring off of hits as well. NU will play Friday April 19 through Sunday April 21 versus Purdue (21-20, 8-6 B1G) in West Lafayette.