Despite some nervy moments late, Northwestern (37-17) was able to squeak past Cal (34-20) in eight innings on Friday morning, advancing to the winner’s bracket and a matchup with regional host Georgia today at 11 a.m. Central. The Wildcats and Golden Bears were scoreless for four innings, but after each team struck for two runs in the fifth, the only other run was the winner, coming in the top of the eighth for Northwestern.
Morgan Newport began the game in the circle for the Wildcats, and the sophomore southpaw started off hot. Newport scattered four hits over her first four innings, and despite recording just two strikeouts, she induced plenty of soft contact, working the ball low in the zone and changing speeds constantly.