The University of Wisconsin softball team (26-16, 8-8 Big Ten) faced Indiana on April 11, at home, securing a win in the first game of the series.
The bottom of the first started with sophomore Alivia Bark being walked. This sparked the early momentum for the Badgers. Plays later, senior outfielder Molly Schlosser doubled to left-center, advancing Bark to third. Bark and Schlosser scored, thanks to sophomore Hilary Blomberg, who singled, giving the Badgers the early 3-0 lead against the Hoosiers.
The Hoosiers responded in the top of the second with a single to right center from sophomore Alex Cooper, sending freshman Josie Bird home to put the Hoosiers on the board. In the bottom half of the frame, freshman Kendra Lewis singled up the middle, securing an RBI and getting Schlosser home, putting the Badgers on top with a 4-1 lead.
The middle innings were a scoring drought from both teams until the Hoosiers lit up in the top of the sixth. Junior Avery Parker sent a bomb to right center, doubling for the Hoosiers and sending senior Taylor Minnick home.
The Hoosiers left the top of the sixth strong with a score of 4-3, but they were no challenge for the resilient Badgers. Schlosser started the Badger inning with a bunt, singling to third base.
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The Badgers weren’t done yet this inning. Blomberg then sent the ball flying over the left field fence, securing two more runs for the Badgers. At the end of the sixth inning, the Badgers led the Hoosiers 6-3.
The Hoosiers quickly responded in the top of the seventh with a two-run homer from senior Brianna Copeland, closing the gap to 6-5. Following the homer, an error was made by the Badger third baseman, advancing Parker on the bases. The Hoosiers could not close out, remaining scoreless the rest of the game, falling to the Badgers. It was a scoring-filled game with only one error from the Badgers in the full seven innings.
The game ended on a groundout to second base by Hoosier sophomore Aly VanBrandt. Keeping the Badgers on top with a final score of 6-5.
The Badgers face North Dakota State in an at-home doubleheader April 19. The first game begins at 3:30 p.m. and will be shortly followed by the second at 5:30 p.m.