FORT MYERS, Fla. – The Wisconsin softball team (11-2 overall) recorded back-to-back shutouts over Florida Gulf Coast (8-5) and Hofstra (3-5) to coast to a 2-0 day in the Badgers' second day of the Sheraton Invitational.

The Badgers first shut out the host team, Florida Gulf Coast University, with a 6-0 triumph behind home runs from junior Kelsey Jenkins and senior Chloe Miller.

Miller got the bats swinging right away as she went yard in her first at bat of the day. She scored again for the Badgers in the third inning when she soared home while the Eagles were catching freshman Heather Rudnicki at first.

The Badgers brought sophomore Melanie Cross back into the lineup to pinch hit in the top of the fourth with two runners on after junior Brooke Wyderski singled to left and senior Taylor Berry walked. Cross ripped a hard shot to right field and scored Wyderski giving UW a 3-0 advantage.

Junior Brianna Flugaur had herself quite a day, knocking in an RBI single to the shortstop that scored Gabby Scherle and put the Badgers up 4-0. A two-run dinger from Jenkins sealed the deal on the 6-0 shutout.

The Badger defense held out strong, forcing the Eagles to leave a total of 10 runners on the basepath, including two bases-loaded situations. Freshman Kaitlyn Menz pitched a complete game and dealt two strikeouts while walking four and giving up five hits.

Wyderski had three putouts, including a diving catch and throw in just the Eagles' second at bat.

UW had a reunion with Hofstra after just facing the Pride last weekend and took them down with a 4-0 shutout. Junior pitcher Kirsten Stevens recorded her third shutout of the season after dealing a career-best 11 strikeouts.

The Badger bats fired off early on in the second and third innings. With the bases loaded, Miller was hit by a pitch to bring in one run in the second. Wyderski trekked in two more runs when she rocketed a hit to right field, scoring Jenkins and Kelly Welsh.

Freshman Kayla Konwent closed out the Badger scoring in the third inning, putting a moon shot over the left field wall.

NOTES TO KNOW:
-The Badgers had a season-high 30 at bats against FGCU. Jenkins and Wyderski both tied the season high of four at bats.
-Wisconsin set a new season high with five stolen bases against FGCU.
-Jenkins tied her season highs with two RBI, four total bases and one home run.
-Freshman Kayla Konwent knocked in her second hit of the season and second of the weekend vs. FGCU. She later had her third hit of the season with a huge home run over the left field wall against Hofstra.
-Miller tied her season high with two runs scored. It was also her second homer of the season.
-Stephanie Lombardo tallied a team season-high 13 putouts against FGCU.
-The Badgers tied their season high of two home runs in a game.
-Freshman Heather Rudnicki tabbed the first hit of her career, sending a single back to the pitcher.
-Wyderski tied her season high with four assists against the Eagles.
-Flugaur tied her career high with one RBI against FGCU, her first RBI of the season and since April 8, 2015 vs. Valparaiso. It was also her second hit of the season, making her just two short of her career-best mark of four hits in a season.
-The Badgers had a season-high 11 strikeouts against Hofstra after allowing a season-high 11 hits last weekend against them.
-After winning a close 7-5 contest over Hofstra last weekend, the Badgers came out on top 4-0.
-Miller hit the second triple of the season against Hofstra.


UP NEXT:
The Badgers close out the tournament against Rutgers at 9 a.m. CT on Sunday, Feb. 26. The Scarlet Knights are 1-7 overall and 1-3 in the tournament, picking up their first win of the season with a 4-0 shutout over Boston College.