TEMPE, Ariz. – Another early explosion offensively led the Wisconsin softball team to a dominant 9-1 victory over UC Riverside on Sunday and wrapped up a 4-1 weekend at the Kajikawa Classic at the Tempe Sports Complex.

"I'm so proud of the team for getting four wins opening weekend," head coach Yvette Healy said. "I really thought it was an all-around team effort with good pitching, good defense and timely hitting. What stands out the most to me is the powerful performances from our young players to come out like that during this opening weekend.

"This was a very promising way to start the season for the team."

Senior Ashley Van Zeeland got the offensive firepower sparked right off the bat in the first inning with a bunt single. Junior Chloe Miller followed up with a hard double to center field to score Van Zeeland. With two outs on the board, sophomore Samantha Arents hit an RBI single to center field to clinch the second run of the inning. Wisconsin finished the first inning with four hits alone.

UC Riverside put up one run on the board in the bottom of the second inning off of an RBI single from Stephanie Tickemyer that brought in Haley Harris. That was the first and only run UC Riverside would score, however, as the Badger defense held firm the rest of the way.

In the top of the third, senior Macy Oswald fired an RBI double and brought in freshman Gabby Scherle to give UW a 3-0 advantage. With freshman McKenna Heim in to pinch run for Oswald, the Badger offense started to ignite. Freshman Brooke Mann, who hit a grand slam in yesterday's game, shot a double to left field that scored Heim.

The Badgers weren't done yet.

In the top of the fourth frame, sophomore Samantha Arents hit her first-career solo home run to escalate the Badgers' lead to 5-1.

Wisconsin sealed the deal in the top of the seventh inning off of four runs and two hits.

Welsh led off with a single to center field and stole second base immediately after getting on base. Both Mann and sophomore Kelsey Jenkins were walked to load up the bases for Van Zeeland. Van Zeeland reached on a fielder's choice that took out Jenkins but scored Welsh.

As Miller was up to bat, Van Zeeland and Mann used stealth and speed to simultaneously steal bases, with Van Zeeland snatching second and Mann swiping home.

Clinching the 9-1 victory was Miller, who blasted a home run over the center field fence to bring in the final two runs of the game.

Kirsten Stevens picked up her second win of the season after pitching four innings and allowing just one run off of four hits.

Wisconsin returns to action next weekend at the Big Ten/ACC Challenge in Raleigh, North Carolina.