EVANSTON, Ill. – In one single game, freshman Jordan Little more than quadrupled her RBI on the season with two three-run home runs that helped push the No. 21 Wisconsin softball team past Northwestern, 14-5, in its Big Ten conference opener at Drysdale field on Friday night.

In her last two at bats, Little knocked out two three-run bombs giving UW its second-consecutive Big Ten opening victory. The Hudson, Wisconsin native's dinger in the top of the sixth gave Wisconsin (22-2 overall, 1-0 Big Ten) a five-run cushion (10-5) over Northwestern (11-15, 0-1). She hit it to nearly the exact same spot in the top of the seventh, securing the 14-5 triumph.

A two-RBI single from junior Kelsey Jenkins made all the difference in the top of the second. The Badgers struggled in the bottom of the first, letting up one run off of two hits but they rebounded in a big way. After Little was walked, sophomore Melanie Cross put in the first hit of the conference season for the Badgers. Sophomore Kelly Welsh advanced the runners on a sacrifice bunt, setting it up perfectly for Jenkins who blasted a two-RBI single giving UW a 2-1 lead.

From then the Badgers scored in every inning for the rest of the game.

The Wildcats had an immediate answer back in the bottom of the second but were held scoreless through the next two innings.

Little had her bat swinging early on, hitting a sacrifice fly that scored junior Brooke Wyderski to bring UW within one (4-3). It was Wyderski who stole the lead back for the Badgers in the top of the fourth with a single to right field that forced a Wildcat error and allowed in one run from Jenkins.

Senior Sara Novak followed that base hit with a high soaring sacrifice fly to left center that scored Miller and recaptured the lead, 5-4.

In the fifth inning, a passed ball allowed Little to score right before sophomore Melanie Cross came home off of a sacrifice fly from senior Taylor Berry, giving Wisconsin the 7-5 lead before Little's back-to-back moon shots.

Notes to Know:
-Freshman Kaitlyn Menz now leads the Big Ten in wins, picking up her 13th victory of the season and first Big Ten win of her career.
-It was Menz's 12th complete game in 15 appearances this season.
-Wisconsin ties its best win streak in program history at 13 games.
-The Badgers opened conference play with a win for the second-straight year.
-Chloe Miller continued a 13-game hitting streak.
-Jordan Little notched her second and third home runs of the season and her career. She more than quadrupled her RBI after entering the game with two RBI on the season and then walking away with nine.
-The Badgers' best start after 25 games is 22-3 (2013) and the Badgers are one win away from surpassing that.
-It was the most times the Badgers have walked this season, drawing 10 walks in the game. It was also the most sacrifice hits (2) and sacrifice flies (3).
-Four Badgers had two hits apiece: Novak, Wyderski, Little, Lombardo.

Up Next:
The Badgers are scheduled to play Northwestern on Saturday at 1 p.m. CT. Game time is subject to change due to weather conditions.