Feb. 19, 2016

RALEIGH, N.C. – Three home runs in the bottom of the sixth inning lifted Louisville past the Wisconsin softball team, 7-1, as the two teams met on Friday in Raleigh, North Carolina, as part of the ACC/Big Ten Challenge.

The Cardinals overwhelmed the Badgers at the end of the game firing off three long balls and an RBI single to score four runs off of four hits. Louisville's three home runs came back-to-back at the start of the bottom of the sixth inning.

Sophomore Kelsey Jenkins got the bats swinging for the Badgers in the top of the first inning, but Louisville had a quick response from the get-go. The Cardinals got off to a strong start in their first time up at the plate, notching three runs off of three hits and one miscue by UW.

Kirsten Stevens started in the circle for the Badgers, but Mariah Watts subbed in after one inning.

Jenkins collected the first of Wisconsin's two hits with a leadoff single in the first inning, but was stranded as three of the next four batters grounded out.

Wisconsin's only other hit in the game led to a run in the top of the sixth inning, which cut the Cardinals' lead to 3-1. After Jenkins led off with a walk, senior Ashley Van Zeeland ripped a single up the middle and advanced Jenkins to second base. Junior Chloe Miller then reached base on a fielder's choice that caught Van Zeeland at second but moved Jenkins to third. As Miller was stealing second, the

Louisville catcher overthrew trying to catch her, which gave Jenkins enough time to come home and bring UW within two runs.

But just as the Badgers started to turn it around in the top of the sixth, the Cardinals secured the game in the bottom of the frame.

Louisville's Maryssa Becker shot a home run over right center to lead off the inning and was followed by back-to-back dingers from Megan Hensley and Nicole Pufahl. Wisconsin made another pitching change, substituting Angela Morrow for Watts, but the Cardinals were able to get one more run on the board off of an RBI single that brought in Hailey Smith.

UW produced a season-low two hits and tied a season-high two errors in the loss.

Stevens (2-2) picked up her second loss of the season after allowing three hits and three runs in one inning. In Watts' first appearance in the circle this season, she allowed four hits and three runs in four innings pitched.

Wisconsin continues play in the ACC/Big Ten Challenge on Saturday with a rematch against Louisville at 1:30 p.m. (CT) and a game against North Carolina State at 6:30 p.m. (CT). UW's game against North Carolina State will air live on ESPN3 with Patrick Kinas and Sean McNally on the call.