sCLEARWATER, Fla.-- The Wisconsin softball team closed out the Michele Smith Pediatric Cancer Foundation Invitational on a high note on Sunday morning, claiming a 7-5 victory over Hofstra behind two home runs from junior transfer Brooke Wyderski.
 
Wisconsin continued its best start since the 2013 season, improving to 8-1 with the win.
 
The Badgers opened up play with a bang, scoring four runs in the bottom of the first inning. Junior Kelsey Jenkins doubled on Wisconsin's first at bat of the day, then scored on an RBI single from senior Chloe Miller. With Miller and freshman Heather Rudnicki on base, junior transfer Brooke Wyderski stepped up and slammed a three-run home run to give UW the 4-0 lead.
 
Hofstra tallied a run in the top of the third, but another Wyderski home run helped Wisconsin tack on two runs to widen the lead, 6-1.
 
Miller earned her second RBI of the day in the bottom of the fourth, batting in sophomore Kelly Welsh to take a 7-1 Badgers lead.
 
The Pride would stage a late rally, scoring three runs in the sixth inning and another in the seventh, but the Badger defense held up for the 7-5 victory.
 
Notes to Know:
-Last season, the Badgers did not reach eight wins until the 15th game of the season, securing a 3-2 win over Cal State Fullerton on March 4.
-Brooke Wyderski had a career day against the Pride, recording two home runs on two hits and batting in five runs.
-Kaitlyn Menz dished out a career-high seven strikeouts in just four innings, allowing just one earned run. Menz improves to 5-1 on the season.
-Chloe Miller led all Badgers with three hits, going 3-for-4 and tabbing two RBI. It was her second multi-RBI game this year and fourth multi-hit game.
 
Talk from the Dugout:
"Brooke Wyderski really set the tone offensively. KJ started the game with a double, and to have Brooke hit two home runs and have five RBIs was really the offensive push we needed."
-Head Coach Yvette Healy

Up Next:
The Badgers travel back to the Sunshine State Feb. 24-26, competing at the Sheraton Invitational in Fort Myers, Florida. Wisconsin will face FIU at 8 a.m. (CT) on Friday before taking on Boston College at 12:30 p.m.