May 29, 2006

Northwestern's Women's College World Series Notes in PDF Format
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WCWS Bracket in PDF Format
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Northwestern's Women's College World Series Web Headquarters

EVANSTON, Ill. -- Five years ago, newly-appointed head coach Kate Drohan took the reigns of the Northwestern softball program from one of the game's most legendary coaches. Kate immediately brought in her twin sister, Caryl, and together they built their first recruiting class by convincing five future Wildcats to take a chance in purple.

Now, Kristen Amegin (West Sacramento, Calif./Elk Grove), Ashley Crane (Sammamish, Wash./Eastlake), Jamie Dotson (Santa Ana, Calif./Foothill), Courtnay Foster (Tucson, Ariz./Sahuaro) and Sheila McCorkle (Costa Mesa, Calif./Mater Dei) -- that very same quintet -- are seniors, and together they will lead the Wildcats into ASA Hall of Fame Stadium in Oklahoma City, Okla., this week for a return engagement 20 years in the making: The Women's College World Series.

In this class' freshman season of 2003, Northwestern used a 4-0 final weekend of conference play to earn the last spot in the Big Ten Tournament. From there, behind Foster's tournament-record 30.1 innings pitched and 38 strikeouts, the Wildcats made an improbable run to the championship game and earned a berth in the NCAA Tournament.

In every year since, Northwestern has improved its finish in the conference and its performance in the NCAA Tournament. Last year, the Wildcats were one win away from a conference crown and received the No. 9 overall seed in the NCAA field of 64.

In 2006, Northwestern won its first Big Ten title since 1987 and earned the No. 4 seed in the NCAA Tournament. After hosting a Regional for the first time under the current tourney format -- and blowing through the field with a 3-0 record while outscoring the opposition 20-4 -- NU hosted a Super Regional best two-of-three series against Massachusetts.

The last time the Wildcats advanced to the WCWS, it was with a best two-of-three series win against the very same Minutewomen -- 20 years ago. Trailing the 2006 series one game to none and down 2-0 in the sixth inning of game two, Northwestern orchestrated a comeback to force game three, which the 'Cats won in crushing fashion, 9-0 (5), to earn the fourth World Series berth in Northwestern program history.

These 'Cats are not just here for the experience, though. With Northwestern's history of success in the event (NU was third in 1984 and fifth in 1985), and with the Wildcats' tough nonconference schedule this year, they are prepared.

Northwestern played six games this season against the WCWS qualifying schools, picking up wins against No. 1 UCLA and No. 7 Oregon State. In a rare occurrence, every one of the top-8 seeds in the NCAA field advanced to the World Series.

The Wildcats open the WCWS at 6 p.m. CT, Thursday, June 1 against No. 5 seed Alabama in a game to be televised on ESPN2. The winner then will take on the winner of No. 1 UCLA vs. No. 8 Tennessee. Every game of the Series will be televised on either ESPN or ESPN2.

After playing two four-team, double-elimination, regional-style tournaments at the top and bottom of the bracket, the two winners will face each other in a best two-of-three series for the NCAA title. For a complete tournament bracket, click on the .pdf link at the top of this page.

For Northwestern's complete Women's College World Series Notes package, click on the .pdf link at the top of this page.

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