Softball closes out 2010 season this weekend
May 13, 2010 | Softball
May 13, 2010
MADISON, Wis. -- The Wisconsin softball team closes out its 2010 season this weekend as Michigan State visits for a two-game series. Friday night’s game starts at 6 p.m., while Saturday’s first pitch is set for 12 p.m.
Friday’s game is highlighted by a pair of promotions, senior day and the “Party in the Park.”
The Badgers will recognize the team’s two seniors, Letty Olivarez and Katie Soderberg in a special pre-game ceremony.
Presented by Becker Law Office, “Party in the Park” features free admission to those who show up wearing red, Wisconsin apparel, in-game raffle prizes and a post-game contest that features a chance to win Milwaukee Brewers tickets and more. Follow the link for more information on the “Party in the Park.”
Michigan State enters the weekend having lost four in a row and 12 of their last 14. In their most recent game, the Spartans had No. 2 Michigan on the ropes thanks to a 1-0 lead entering the seventh inning. A grand slam for the Wolverines quashed those dreams though as MSU lost, 4-1.
The Spartans lead the overall series against the Badgers, 22-10, including a 9-4 advantage in Madison. MSU has won six of the last seven games in the series, as the teams split a pair of games in East Lansing in the most recent meeting a year ago.
Offensively, the Spartans are led by Lindsey Hansen and Jessica Bracamonte, who are hitting .369 and .331, respectively. Hansen also leads the team with 10 home runs, a .718 slugging percentage and a .413 on-base percentage.
There is a drop-off after those two players though as no one else on the MSU roster is hitting higher than .247, slugging higher than .385 or getting on base at a .300 clip or better.
In the circle, Lauren Kramer has gotten the majority of the work for Michigan State. She has thrown 195 innings, compiling a 15-18 record with a 3.02 earned run average. She also has recorded 168 strikeouts compared to just 40 walks on the year.
Wisconsin is looking to snap a two-game skid after losing a heartbreaker to Minnesota on Wednesday night. The Badgers rallied to force extra innings and then scored five runs in the top of the 10th to take a 9-4 lead, but Minnesota countered with six runs to win the game, 10-9.
In the game, freshman Molly Spence hit a three-run double to set a new single-season RBI record at Wisconsin. She now has 41 on the year, surpassing Katie Hnatyk’s record of 38 set in 2007. In addition, senior Letty Olivarez tied a school record by striking out 17 batters, the second time she has accomplished the feat this season.
Fans that can’t make it out to the games can follow all the action on UWBadgers.com with the Gameday Blog, GameTracker and live audio. In addition, Friday night’s game can be heard locally on 91.7 FM, on wsum.org, and iTunes radio under college/university radio and WSUM.
