March 12, 2010
Box Score
UW vs. Rutgers Box Score 
STILLWATER, Okla. – Thanks to a four-run fifth inning, the Wisconsin softball team opened the 2010 Mizuno Classic on a winning note, defeating Rutgers 6-2. Sophomore Karla Powell hit her first home run of the season, while senior Letty Olivarez went the distance, striking out a season-high eight batters.
Tied at one, Wisconsin broke the game open with four runs in the top of the fifth inning.
Junior Jennifer Krueger led off with a walk and sophomore Jordan Skinner reached on a fielder’s choice. After a groundout by freshman Shannel Blackshear moved both runners up, UW took advantage of a throwing error.
With freshman Molly Spence up to bat, a throw down to third trying to pick off Krueger was mishandled by third baseman, Brittney Lindley, allowing Krueger to score. Spence then struck out, but freshman Whitney Massey walked and used some heads-up base running to bring in the third Badger run.
With Powell batting, Massey got herself into a rundown. On the play, Skinner was able to come home and score, diving around catcher Kaci Madden to do so.
The exclamation mark came in the same at-bat as Powell crushed her first home run of the season to centerfield to make it 5-1 Wisconsin.
The game was scoreless through three innings, but Wisconsin broke through in the top of the fourth.
Spence led off and reached on a fielding error by Rutgers pitcher, Noelle Sisco. Massey then singled to centerfield, and that was followed by a walk to Powell. Freshman Kendall Grimm was up next and singled to shallow centerfield bringing home Spence and making it 1-0 Wisconsin.
Rutgers answered right back with a run of their own in the bottom of the frame.
Jen Meinheit singled to shallow left field then reached third after a stolen base attempt at second resulted in a miss-throw and error by UW catcher Maggie Strange. After a strikeout, Mikelyn Messina lined a shot off Powell’s glove at first for an RBI single.
The Scarlet Knights added a second run in the bottom of the fifth on an RBI single by pinch-hitter, Kylee Bishop.
Wisconsin added an insurance run in the top of the sixth.
With two outs, Krueger reached on an infield single. She then stole second and was driven in by Skinner.
Olivarez scattered five hits over seven innings of work. She gave up two runs but neither were earned.
The Badgers face Oklahoma State at 4:30 p.m. (CT) today as play at the 2010 Mizuno Classic continues.
