May 14, 2010
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MADISON, Wis. -- If one was looking for the perfect way to end a collegiate career, it would be difficult to top the performance that senior Letty Olivarez enjoyed on Friday night at Goodman Diamond.
Playing in her second-to-last game as a Badger, the Newark, Calif., native went 3-3 at the plate with two home runs and a double, scored three times and drove in two runs. Oh, and she also came within three outs of a no-hitter.
That showing, plus a 4-4 day for junior Jennifer Krueger, extended the Badgers’ home-winning streak to eight games with a 6-1 victory over Michigan State.
Olivarez showed signs of dominance early, getting through the first inning on just eight pitches and recording two strikeouts along the way. She set down the first 13 batters before Jayme O’Bryant drew a walk in the fifth inning. Olivarez got a foul out and flyout to end that inning though.
The offense did its part, staking Olivarez to an early 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first with a manufactured run.
Krueger led off the inning with an infield single and advanced to second on a throwing error. After a strikeout by senior Katie Soderberg, freshman Molly Spence grounded out to shortstop to get Krueger to third. Freshman Shannel Blackshear then came through with clutch, two-out hit as she singled back up the middle to bring home Krueger.
Wisconsin added to its lead in the second by tacking on two more runs.
Olivarez led off with a double to right field and advanced to third two batters later on a passed ball. Sophomore Karla Powell then reached on an error and was pinch run for by freshman Kelsey Horton. After a strikeout by junior Ashley Hanewich, Krueger provided another two-out hit as she laced a triple off the wall in right field to plate both runners.
Helping her own cause in the fourth inning, Olivarez led off by blasting her first home run of the season with a straight-away shot to center field. The homer extended the UW lead to 4-0.
Blackshear drilled her seventh home run of the season with one out in the fifth inning to make it 5-0. Two batters later, Olivarez became the eighth player in school history to have a two-homer game as she pulled a shot over the fence in left field.
The sixth inning started with MSU’s Melanie Bensema reaching on a hit by pitch, but she was then forced out at second as Kylene Hopkins reached on a fielder’s choice. A walk to Jessica Bracamonte gave the Spartans their first scoring threat of the game, but Olivarez struck out Lori Padilla and got Lindsey Hansen to ground out to end the threat and keep the no-hitter intact.
The no-no would last just one batter later though as Lauren Kramer, Olivarez’ counterpart in the circle, led off the top of the seventh with a solo home run to left field.
The final line for Olivarez was seven innings pitched, one hit, one run, two walks and nine strikeouts.
It was the second time this season Olivarez carried a no-hitter into the seventh inning. Against Florida International on Feb. 21, Olivarez had a no-hitter through 6.1 innings, before settling on a three-hitter.
Krueger finished the game with a career-high four hits, two runs batted in and a run scored, while Blackshear went 2-3 with two RBI.
Wisconsin closes out its 2010 season Saturday afternoon at Goodman Diamond against Michigan State. First pitch is set for 12 p.m., and Wisconsin’s two seniors, Olivarez and Soderberg will be honored in a special pre-game ceremony.
