MADISON, Wis-- Thanks to a walk-off home run by Big Ten Freshman of the Week Melanie Cross, the Wisconsin softball team won its home conference opener, 6-5, against Ohio State.

Down by two runs heading into the bottom of the seventh inning, the Badgers (18-13, 3-1 Big Ten) fought back to upset No. 24 Ohio State (18-7, 3-1 Big Ten). The victory was Wisconsin's third win over a ranked opponent this season.

The last time Wisconsin met up with Ohio State, on April 20, 2013, a grand slam put the Buckeyes up 5-3 over the Badgers in the series opener, but a walk-off home run by Mary Massei won it for Wisconsin, 7-6.

"It's been three years since we've seen Ohio State, and they're tough," UW head coach Yvette Healy said. "They've got a lot of ranked wins, they're one of the best teams in conference for sure. We knew going in that we were the underdogs and we told them, 'just play loose and have fun and you never know what could happen.'"

Wisconsin's defense held the Buckeyes, who average 6.2 runs per game, scoreless through four innings. Junior Kirsten Stevens gave up only two hits in those four innings, while Samantha Arents had a season-high 11 putouts on the game. Shortstop Ashley Van Zeeland also earned a season-high seven assists. 

"Kirsten threw a great game to start off with," Healy said of her starting pitcher. "She kept them in check. Even though it was four runs, Ohio State averages six to seven runs a game, so she kept us in the game. Taylor-Paige Stewart came in and gave us a chance. We kept telling the team, 'if we have a chance late, you never know what can happen.' She was phenomenal, Kirsten really was too, she threw a great game."

In the fifth inning, Ohio State's Maddy McIntyre gave her team the 4-0 lead with a grand slam to left center field.

Wisconsin followed up in the bottom of the inning with four consecutive walks from Macy Oswald, Kelsey Jenkins, Ashley Van Zeeland and Chloe Miller, lifting the score to 4-1.

Van Zeeland batted in the Badgers' second run with the bases loaded off of a single to shortstop in the sixth inning, allowing Kelly Welsh to score. Miller followed with a walk, advancing Cross to score and bringing the Badgers within one run, 4-3.

OSU widened the gap with a run in the top of the final inning off a single from Becca Gavin, but Wisconsin's consistency at bat put Taylor Berry and Katie Christner on base when Cross took the plate. Arents started the inning with a leadoff double and with Berry in to pinch run, Christner was walked on a full count.

After striking out twice earlier in the game, Cross launched the ball over right field for the walk-off winner. Cross led the team with three RBI and two runs. The moon shot was her fourth of the season.

"Mel Cross has been clutch all this year, so I don't think there could have been a better player up at that point," Healy said of the freshman. "Our first win of the season was a comeback win against Cal, and she (Mel) had a big home run in that game. She was a great person to have up in that situation."

Wisconsin had a season-high 11 walks, led by Jenkins with a team season-high three walks.

The Badgers continue the home series against Ohio State on Sunday, April 3. The first game of the doubleheader beings at 10:30 a.m. at Goodman Softball Complex.