Junior shortstop Tammy Williams had done her part in the second inning. She drew a four-pitch walk and advanced on an error, which allowed two runs to score, giving the Wildcats a three-run lead with two outs.
Williams got a little greedy on the next at-bat. She was picked off trying to steal third base on a close call.
The shortstop left no doubt her next at-bat.
Williams belted a two-run home run to start a five-run fourth inning as NU easily ran by Indiana 11-0 in five innings Friday at Sharon J. Drysdale Field.
The Cats (25-10, 10-1 Big Ten) came out of the gates quickly, recovering from their first Big Ten loss last Sunday.
Sophomore Nicole Pauly, who plays second base, scored an RBI double in the first inning. She was two-for-two and added a solo home run in the fourth. Sophomore designated player Emily Haug added two RBIs as well.
"I think we're just trying to play our game," Williams said. "I think we got away from that Sunday. We were trying to hit the ball and hit the ball hard, like we do. I think that was the plan. As a team, just work together and play Northwestern softball."
NU batted around in the fourth inning. But Indiana's prospects looked bleak even before then -- and they were already trailing by six runs.
Sophomore pitcher Lauren Delaney dominated the Hoosiers, striking out seven of the 15 batters she faced in four innings (freshman Jessica Smith pitched the fifth) and gave up one hit and two walks.
"Lauren's doing amazing," Williams said. "Knowing that you have to play good defense for her -- for those one or two hits -- and know that she is an amazing picture. She is going to get us out of everything. Our job is to just score the runs."
Williams and the Cats' offense did just that, giving the star pitcher plenty of breathing room Friday.
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