Rachel Lewis and the Northwestern Wildcats

I have covered hundreds of college softball games. Northwestern's Rachel Lewis is one of the best and one of my favorite players I have seen in person.

A five-year letter winner for the Wildcats, Rachel started all 245 career games from 2018-22. Among her many honors and accolades, she was the Big Ten Player of the Year in 2022, when she tied a Northwestern single-season record with 23 home runs while adding 62 RBIs. Her name is still in the Top Ten of many categories on Northwestern's leaderboard.

Rachel was a powerhouse. She hit towering homers. I am not sure if she cleared the left field building, but I know she hit it multiple times.

On top of all of that, she has always beena class act. She always gave me time to chat during her career. Eve now, when I see her at games, she always has a minute or two. It was a pleasure following and covering her career. Even more, it was great knowing her a bit.

It's people like Rachel who make it fun for me. I get to meet interesting folks and watch their careers and lives develop.

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Rachel Lewis and me in Evanston, IL-May 2022.

 

As I readily admit, I rarely recognize celebrities (and even friends sometimes) when I am out. It's frustrating at events like Northwestern softball games, where former players are often in attendance. Such was the case last weekend, but I defied the odds.

Oh sure, former outfielder Rachel Lewis basically walked right up to me, but I still knew it was her. (Score one for me). On the positive side, I did recognize her quicker than some of the others around me.

Rachel was a stud player for the Wildcats. She left Northwestern with several records, including career home runs. She was a monster at the plate.

Rachel went on to play a season for Athletes Unlimited, but barely got playing time. This exposes one of the biggest flaws in the AU system. Because the league is based on a fantasy points scoring system, players want and need to play more to be in contention for the player champ title. A first year player like Rachel sometimes gets minimal time to shine, despite having the credentials.

As big of a monster at bat as Rachel was, she was and is a sweetheart off the field. If you can't tell, she is one of my favorite Wildcats of all time.

In her post-playing days, Rachel found love with former Nebraska star pitcher Tatum Edwards. She also got heavily into weightlifting.

It was great seeing Rachel. I know there were other former Wildcats there, but they escaped my eyes. Still, I was happy meeting one of the best.

Rachel Lewis and me in Evanston, IL-April 2025.

Rachel Lewis and Athletes Unlimited Softball

I followed and covered Rachel Lewis at Northwestern. Rachel racked up a bunch of honors and accolades. She is the all-time leader in home runs at NU. She was also the Big Ten Player of the Year in 2022.

I was hoping she would be selected in the Athletes Unlimited college draft and she was one of the 13 collegiate players picked. I was so happy for Rachel to play pro ball, especially in front of the Chicago fans.

As an AU rookie, Rachel hasn't played much. She has had six at bats, getting two hits and adding three walks. With a team of elite players, it is hard to crack the starting lineup, but Rachel has made the most of her limited playing time. As a local college player, Rachel always gets a huge reaction from the crowd.

Last weekend, I was finally able to get a picture with Rachel in her AU uniform. It seemed right that she was in purple, like her time with the Wildcats.

Rachel looks like she is having a blast. She deserves this. I hope she gets a few more at bats. Dare I ask for a Rachel bomb? That would make the season.

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Rachel Lewis and me in Rosemont, IL-August 2022.