Gillette Leads Badgers Over Hoosiers
April 06, 2003 | Softball
Boo Gillette's two-run blast with two outs in the bottom of the seventh inning and her sheer presence in the bottom of the ninth lifted the Badgers over Indiana, 4-3, Sunday. The win gives the Badgers a sweep over the Hoosiers and moves their record to 13-16 overall, 2-4 Big Ten.
Gillette, whose home run pulled UW out of a two-run deficit to send the game to extra innings stood in a similar situation in the bottom of the ninth. Setting up the scenario was Erin Barnharst who, in her first at-bat of the day, led off the bottom of the ninth with a walk. With one out, Kris Zacher's third single of the game put two on. With two outs and both runners in scoring position, Gillette stepped to the plate again with the game on the line.
Indiana looked to intentionally walk Gillette and on the second throw-out, IU pitcher Megan Roark threw over catcher Stormy Hanson's head. At first, Barnharst did not attempt to score, but Hanson scooped up the ball behind the plate and anticipated a play at home. She threw to the plate but misfired and Barnharst ran home for the winning tally.
Wisconsin and Indiana battled through five scoreless innings before both teams lit up the scoreboard in the sixth and the Badgers evened it up again in the seventh.
In the top of the sixth inning, IU's Valerie White and Heather Suca reached on consecutive hits and the pair stood in scoring position with two outs. White scored on a wild pitch and Abby Stark brought Suca home with a home run over the right field wall to give Indiana a 3-0 lead.
Wisconsin answered with a very important run in the bottom of the sixth. Andrea Kirchberg walked with one out in the inning and Meghann Reiss lined a hit through IU's diving third baseman and shortstop. Anastasia Miller pinch ran for Kirchberg and Emily Friedman cracked a single into left field scoring Miller to cut the lead to two.
Zacher's second single of the game with one out in the bottom of the seventh set the scene for Gillette's heroics. With the IU fans cheering for and anticipating a Hoosier victory, Gillette sent a 2-2 pitch soaring over the left field wall to tie the game. It was Gillette's third home run of the season. She is tied with Barnharst for the team lead.
Indiana threatened in the top of the third when Ashley Griffiths led off the inning with a double to left center field. Kristine Dugan moved Griffiths over to third with a sacrifice bunt, but Valerie White grounded out to Zacher. Zacher scooped the ball up, glanced at home to keep Griffiths at third and spun around to throw out White at first. UW starting pitcher Katie Layne struck out Heather Suca to end the inning.
The Badgers open their home season next weekend against Michigan. UW takes on the Wolverines Friday and Saturday at 6 p.m. and noon, respectively. Wisconsin battles Michigan State on Sunday in a noon double header at Goodman Diamond.
Follow Badger Softball This Week on UWBADGERS.COM
Friday's home opener is scheduled to broadcast live via UWBADGERS.COM thanks to WSUM talent, while Sunday's first game is scheduled to air on WIBA in Madison. Live stats of all games next weekend will be available via UWBADGERS.COM.
Also watch for coach Karen Gallagher during tomorrow's UW news conference, live via UWBADGERS.COM. Click on the multimedia link on UWBADGERS.COM and listen to spring coaches speak about their teams and seasons at 1 p.m. Monday.
