Box Score

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Feb. 14, 2015

CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas-- The Wisconsin softball team lost a heartbreaker in an offensive battle against UAB on Saturday afternoon, 8-7. The Badgers move to 5-5 on the season and hold a 4-1 record in the Islander Invitational.

Both teams took no time at all to get the action started.

In the top of the first, UAB's Caitlin Attfield singled and then advanced on a throwing error by freshman Kelsey Jenkins. Attfield advanced to third as Sara Williamson reached base on a fielder's choice. The Blazers left two runners on base when Fonk struck out the last batter swinging.

Chloe Miller led off for Wisconsin in the bottom of the first and reached base on a walk. As Jenkins struck out, Miller was caught stealing second.

Senior Marissa Mersch didn't let the inning end there. With two outs. Mersch fired a hit to the shortstop and then stole second. Ashley Van Zeeland grounded out to the pitcher to end the inning leaving one runner on base.

UAB had a golden opportunity to score in the top of the second. The Blazers left the bases loaded after two batters got on base with walks.

Badgers' shortstop Van Zeeland connected with Samantha Arents at first base to end the inning on a groundout.

Maria Van Abel got the Badgers on the board first in the bottom of the second. The senior got on base with a bunt single but the Blazers' catcher overthrew the ball to first base, launching it into right field and giving Van Abel ample time to score on the error. The Badgers headed into the top of the third with a 1-0 lead.

Freshman Annie Davis came in to pitch for Fonk in third, an inning in which the Blazers were spitting out the fire. Sara Williamson started UAB off with a single to right field and then advanced to second on a wild pitch. Hayley Davis reached first on a throwing error by the Badgers' pitcher which allowed Williamson to come in for a run. With runners on second and third after Kelly Britt doubled down the left side, it was the perfect setup for Megan Smith to single and bring in another run for UAB. Britt scored on a passed ball to rack up four total runs in the third inning for the Blazers on three hits and one error.  Fonk came back in to close out the inning with a strikeout.

With two outs in the bottom of the third, Jenkins helped bring the Badgers back in the game when she reached base on a fielder's choice and then was brought home off of a hard hit from the bat of Mersch. Van Zeeland singled through the left side to give UW two hits in the inning but closed out the bottom half with Van Zeeland getting out on a fielder's choice. The Badgers cut the Blazers to a 4-2 lead.

And then in the fourth inning the Badgers decided it was time to take control of the game. Van Abel and Megan Tancill in similar fashion both hit back-to-back singles and stole second base. Freshman Brianna Flugaur singled on a bunt to load the bases. Miller walked and then brought in Van Abel. Jenkins reached base on a fielder's choice which allowed Tancill to slide in to home.

In what was one of many wild plays in the game, Flugaur used her well-known speed to make it home on a wild pitch and give the Badgers a 5-4 advantage.

Once again, the Blazers had an answer for the Badger runs and scored two more in the top of the fifth on four base hits.

It was an offensive back-and-forth battle in the sixth inning as both teams brought in one run apiece.

The Blazers' scored their final run in the top of the seventh with bases loaded as JoJo Fallen hit a sacrifice fly to put UAB up 8-6.

Wisconsin was able to bring in one more runner in the bottom of the frame but ultimately fell 8-7 on a costly double-play.

"It's been a great trip to Texas for the Badgers," Wisconsin head coach Yvette Healy said. "Our young team is learning a lot about how to come together and win games. Anytime you can get four wins in a weekend, it's a special trip. We're excited for the last game tomorrow, to ssee how the team can close out the weekend."

The Blazers just barely outhit the Badgers 13-12. UAB's Megan Smith delivered seven innings, allowing seven runs on 12 hits and five earned runs.

Fonk pitched 4.2 innings for the Badgers and allowed two runs on seven hits. She also record three strikeouts and walked two.

Wisconsin is back in action early Sunday morning in a 9 a.m. rematch against UAB.