Feb. 25, 2012
• Maryland Box Score | St. John's Box Score
ORLANDO, Fla. -- Nine hits and a strong pitching performance led the Wisconsin softball team to its second shutout victory of the season Saturday morning at the Citrus Classic Spring College Games in Orlando, Fla. The Badgers defeated St. John's, 3-0, in the day's first game.
Despite a late-inning rally in its second game, Wisconsin couldn't overcome Maryland, falling to the Terps, 4-3. It was the fourth time this season that the Badgers have split a doubleheader, as their record stands at an even 4-4.
After two scoreless innings against St. John's, Wisconsin got on the scoreboard in the bottom of the second with a pair of runs. Maggie Strange led off the inning with a single to center field and moved up a bag on a sacrifice bunt by Michelle Mueller. Mary Massei reached base on a fielder's choice and Marissa Mersch walked to load the bases for Whitney Massey. Massey singled to score two runs and give the Badgers the lead.
Starting pitcher Cassandra Darrah continued to shut down the St. John's batters and Wisconsin added a run in the sixth inning to give Darrah a three-run lead and eventual shutout victory.
Darrah held St. John's scoreless on four hits, striking out five and walking just one in the complete game shutout.
Ashley Beza suffered the loss for the Red Storm, allowing three runs on nine Wisconsin hits.
Strange led the Badgers' offense against St. John's, going 2-for-3 with a run scored. Massei was 2-for-4 with one RBI and one run scored.
In the second game of the day, Wisconsin and Maryland were scoreless through the first five innings. The Terps were the first to break through, capitalizing on a pair of hits and two Badger errors in the bottom of the sixth to take a four-run lead.
Wisconsin came out swinging in the top of the seventh. Molly Spence led off the inning with a single to spark a Badger rally. UW scored three runs and had the bases loaded, but was unable to find a way to get the win, falling 4-3 to the Terps.
Meghan McIntosh pitched six complete innings for the Badgers, giving up seven hits and allowing four runs, all unearned. McIntosh struck out seven and walked one.
Kendra Knight earned the win for Maryland, pitching seven innings and allowing three runs, one earned, on four Badger hits.
Wisconsin wraps ups action at the Citrus Classic Spring College Games on Sunday, Feb. 26 when it takes the field against Florida State at 9 a.m. CT.
