FORT MYERS, Fla.-- Slow and steady won the race for the Wisconsin softball team, finishing off a stellar weekend at the Sheraton Invitational with a 5-1 win over Big Ten foe Rutgers on Sunday.

The Badgers (12-2) recorded 11 hits in the win over RU (1-8) to complete a 4-1 weekend at the tournament.

Wisconsin opened scoring in the bottom of the second when freshman Jordan Little scored on a single up the middle from sophomore Kelly Welsh.

Senior Sara Novak tacked on another run in the third, flying out to right field to score junior Kelsey Jenkins, while senior Chloe Miller singled to the pitcher with the bases loaded in the fourth to bring home Welsh for a 3-0 lead.

Welsh recorded her third hit of the game in the fifth with the based loaded, sending a single to left field to score sophomore McKenna Heim. Junior Samantha Arents pinch hit on the Badgers next at bat, scoring sophomore Gabby Scherle to secure the 5-0 advantage.

The Scarlet Knights tabbed a run in the final inning but the Badger defense held out for the 5-1 victory.
 
Notes to know:
-Freshman pitcher Kaitlyn Menz improved to 7-2 at the mound this season, throwing three strikeouts
-Wisconsin tied its season-high of 11 hits against the Scarlet Knights.
-Rutgers committed three errors while Wisconsin recorded just one.
-Junior Kelsey Jenkins went 3-for-3 at bat for the second time this season.

Talk from the dugout:
"It feels good. To win four games on the road is tough to do and we saw a lot of good things. I was really impressed with our pitching, it really kept us in the games all weekend but to see the bats come alive and get a couple things happening at the same time, pumping on all cylinders, was great.

"We had so many players really contribute and I think that's what makes us tough right now. Today, you get Kelly Welsh having a great day. Whenever you get three hits in a game, it's a big deal and she and KJ (Kelsey Jenkins) both having three hits kind of led the way offensively. Sara Novak has been swinging the bat great and has been really fun to watch. I think Chloe Miller is just having a senior campaign, if we're going to go far this year, you need your seniors to do great things. So to watch Kirsten Stevens on the mound, watch Taylor Berry come in and hit and contribute in this game, and then have Chloe Miller and Sara Novak do so well, it's nice to see those four come out and enjoy it."

-Head coach Yvette Healy

Up next:
The Badgers travel to Houston, Texas, on March 3-5 to take part in the Hilton Plaza Classic. Wisconsin opens the tournament on Friday with a 9 a.m. matchup with Louisiana-Monroe before taking on Sam Houston at 2 p.m.