When the lights are at their brightest, Danielle Williams always delivers.
In the opening game of the NCAA Tournament Regional round, Northwestern (39-11, 20-3 B1G) defeated Eastern Illinois, 2-0. The Wildcats were led by Williams, who pitched a complete game shutout and struck out 10. Kansas Robinson drilled a homer for NU, and Hannah Cady also added an RBI.
Williams got the nod for the Wildcats, and No. 24 picked up exactly where she left off in Champaign. In the top of the first, the fifth-year sent the Panthers packing in order — striking out two.
In the bottom of the first, Skyler Shellmyer slapped a ball deep into the hole at shortstop, but hustled down the line to beat the throw and earn a leadoff single.