STANFORD, Calif. – No. 23-ranked Northwestern University scored five runs in the first inning and rolled to a 7-0 shutout over North Dakota State at the Stanford Nike Invitational on a rainy Saturday, March 2, at Smith Family Stadium. NDSU's game with Stanford was canceled and will not be rescheduled. The Bison had a four-game winning streak snapped.
 
North Dakota State (9-7) is scheduled to play host Stanford (13-2) at 1:15 p.m. CT on Sunday, March 3.
 
Northwestern (13-4) exploded out of the gates with five runs in the first inning. Morgan Newport started things with a run-scoring single through the left side. Jordyn Rudd followed with a two-run double to right center. Rachel Lewis closed the scoring with a two-run home run to left field.
 
The Wildcats tacked on a run with a Rudd RBI single to right in the fifth and Kenna Wilkey delivered a run-scoring single to extend the lead in the seventh. Rudd went 2-for-3 with three RBI, while Nikki Cuchran also had two hits.
 
KK Leddy (6-5) took the loss for NDSU. Leddy walked five and struck out five. Wilkey (4-1) claimed the win, allowing two hits with 10 strikeouts and three walks.
 
Zoe Stavrou hit a double and Stephanie Soriano added a single for the Bison.