In its series loss to Michigan, Northwestern softball followed a similar pattern of performing strongly in Friday’s game and struggling to contain offenses in the weekend games.

Northwestern softball suffered its second straight series loss in conference play, losing two of three to Michigan in Rosemont this past weekend. The Wildcats (17-18, 5-7 B1G) opened Friday’s game with a promising win before dropping the next two games, repeating the same pattern they showed in the previous weekend’s matchup against Oregon. However, unlike the Ducks, who are one of the top teams in the Big Ten, the Wolverines (24-14, 4-8 B1G) were a far weaker opponent, as they are still slotted below the ‘Cats in the conference standings even after winning two games against them.

Nevertheless, NU still dropped another series and once again struggled to maintain momentum throughout the weekend. Game 1: Northwestern 4, Michigan 0 NU rode a season-best performance from starter Marina Mason, who put together a 7. 0-inning complete-game shutout.

The first-year ceded just four hits and two walks while striking out eight on 115 pitches, keeping Michigan’s hitters at bay. Mason continues to impress not just on the ‘Cats pitching staff, but in the conference at large, as her 2. 33 ERA ranks fifth in the Big Ten.

On offense, the ‘Cats were by no means sharp, as they stranded the bases loaded without scoring in the bottom of the first. However, sometimes all it takes is one big inning to erase six other mediocre ones, and NU found that critical frame in the fifth. With the bases loaded again — Emma Raye at first, Grace Nieto at second and Tru Medina at third — and two outs, star Bridget Donahey stepped to the plate and cleared the bases, with a double down the left field line driving all three runners home to give NU a 3-0 lead.