Wisconsin Badgers
Green Bay
Bats stay hot as Badgers salvage split
March 31, 2010 | Softball
March 31, 2010
GREEN BAY, Wis. -- After putting up 11 runs in a 12-11 loss in game one of a doubleheader on Wednesday, Wisconsin continued its hot hitting with a 13-4, six-inning victory over Green Bay in game two. The Badgers posted 10 runs in the top of the sixth to win via the run rule. The win snapped a five-game losing streak for UW.
Already holding a 3-1 lead, Wisconsin put the game away by scoring 10 runs on eight hits and two errors in the sixth. The Badgers sent 14 batters to the plate in the inning.
Freshman Molly Spence got things started right away with a solo home run. Sophomore Karla Powell then singled and was replaced as freshman Kelsey Horton came on to pinch run. Junior Ashley Hanewich walked to move Horton to second before freshman Abby Gregory grounded out to put runners on second and third with one out for freshman Maggie Strange.
Strange singled to bring in Horton and senior Katie Soderberg singled to bring in Hanewich. The second out of the inning came as freshman Whitney Massey reached on a fielder’s choice but Strange was thrown out at third base.
The Badgers kept the inning going though, and put up an additional seven runs with two outs.
Freshman Kendall Grimm singled down the right field line to drive Soderberg home. A throwing error by shortstop Sara Junion enabled Massey to score and put runners on first and second. Batting for the second time in the inning, Spence singled to center field for her second RBI of the frame. Powell then came back into the game and singled to left field to bring in freshman Shannel Blackshear, who reached on Junion’s error.
After Hanewich was hit by a pitch, Gregory hit the first double of her career. Three runs scored on the play and Gregory reached third on another error by Junion.
The Badgers jumped out to a 2-0 lead after the second inning as junior Kristyn Hansen launched a two-run home run to left field for the first hit of her career. She was 0-for-10 lifetime coming into the at-bat.
It became 3-0 after the top of the third as Massey manufactured a run. After leading off the inning with a single, she stole second. Grimm then flew out to right field, but Massey was able to take third on the play. A sacrifice fly by Blackshear to deep centerfield brought in Massey.
Freshman Meghan Mcintosh picked up the second win of her career by pitching all six innings. She gave up seven hits and four runs while striking out four and walking four.
Wisconsin had eight different batters record a hit and eight batters drive in a run.
Spence ended the day 3-for-4 with two RBI and three runs scored, while Powell was 2-for-2 with a walk, one RBI and one run scored.
The Badgers return to Big Ten play on Saturday and Sunday as they travel to Ann Arbor, Mich., to face the Wolverines.
