Robben Homers in Kajikawa Classic Finale
February 11, 2007 | Softball
Wisconsin second baseman Ricci Robben hit her ninth career home run, first of 2007, in a 4-1 loss against defending national champion and top-ranked Arizona Sunday at the Kajikawa Classic. The Badgers (3-2) dropped their final two games of the classic after knocking off three NCAA tournament teams from a year ago.
Robben drilled a 3-2 offering from Wildcat starter Taryne Mowatt over the center field fence to bring Wisconsin within a run, 2-1, in the top of the fourth inning. Callista Balko hit a two-run homer back in the second inning that gave Arizona the lead.
The Badgers loaded the bases in the top of the sixth inning with two outs, but Mowatt got Valyncia Raphael swinging to end the threat. Mowatt (2-1) went the distance for AU, allowing three hits and striking out 10.
Arizona All-American Caitlin Lowe went 3-for-4 to pace the Wildcats. Her RBI double in the bottom of the sixth inning extended AU's lead to 4-1. Theresa Boruta singled to lead off the seventh for UW before Mowatt retired the side.
Athena Vasquez went 5-for-14 (.357) with a home run and four RBI in five games to lead the Badgers' offense. Leah Vanevenhoven (3-0) picked up all three wins in the circle. Freshman Letty Olivarez pitched in four games, striking out 17 with an ERA of 1.42 in 19 2/3 innings.
Next up for Wisconsin is the UTEP Invitational in El Paso, Texas, Feb. 23-25. The Badgers open the tournament against Utah.
