EVANSTON – Headed into the weekend, the No. 21 Wisconsin softball team had one goal for their first Big Ten series of the year: Win the series over Northwestern in Evanston for the first time in 16 years.

UW (23-3 overall, 2-1 Big Ten) blew the game open in the top of the seventh over Northwestern (12-16, 1-2) and clinched the series with a 7-1 victory on Sunday at Drysdale Field.

Sophomore Melanie Cross ignited the fire with a solo home run in the top of the seventh that extended a 3-0 Badgers lead. Fellow sophomore Kelly Welsh followed that up with a sharply lined hit to left field.

After back-to-back hits, junior Brianna Flugaur set up the perfect situation by laying in a sacrifice bunt that advanced Welsh to third.

Junior Kelsey Jenkins drove in Welsh with a hard hit through the left side, marking her fifth RBI on the weekend. Senior Chloe Miller drew a walk in the next at bat, putting two runners on for junior Brooke Wyderski. Wyderski knocked out a dinger over the left field wall, clinching three runs and putting up a 7-0 lead headed into the bottom of the frame.

Northwestern put up their only run of the game in the bottom of the seventh but fell 7-1 in the final game of the series.

Wyderski was responsible for the first two runs in the game as well. Her single to center field in the top of the third scored Jenkins and then her steal attempt one play later gave enough time for Miller to run home.

Menz had a commanding performance in the circle, throwing her 13th complete game and tallying her Big Ten-leading 14th win.

Notes to Know
-The Badgers went 2-1 on the weekend, marking the first time Wisconsin has taken the series in Evanston since 2001.
-Wisconsin only struck out four times against the Wildcats, recording seven hits and eight walks.
-Kelsey Jenkins went 2-for-3 at the plate, extending her hitting streak to nine games.
-Chloe Miller saw her 14-game hitting streak end as she was walked a game- and season-high three times.
-Jenkins and Miller scored two runs each for the Badgers.
-Brooke Wyderski batted in four runs on the day, just shy of her season-high five RBI. Wyderski has nine multiple-RBI games this season.
-Kaitlyn Menz (14-2) faced 27 Wildcat batters in 7.0 innings, throwing one strikeout and three walks while allowing no earned runs.

Details from the Dugout:
"Northwestern is always great. They win a lot, they've got that legacy. We know that not that many people go to Northwestern and win a series, especially Wisconsin. It's been 16 years and the team is looking to make history, this group, so to come out here and do that on the road, opening Big Ten weekend is a big deal."

"Our goal all season has been to play well on Sunday. You play well on getaway day, everybody is happy. To come out on Sunday with the chance to win the series and come out this strong I think shows a lot about the focus of the team top to bottom. We knew Kaitlyn had a better game in her to pitch, she really came out and led the way from the mound. KJ and Chloe have been outstanding all season, but to see them in Big Tens lead the way that they did, especially KJ at the top, she was tough all weekend."
-Head Coach Yvette Healy
 
"After the loss yesterday, we were so uncomfortable because it was only our third loss, it was like there was an extra pin in our heart. It was so close, we took them into extras and Kirsten pitched a great game on the mound for us and kept us in the game, so it was a great effort by all of us but today we really wanted to put it over the top and make sure we had more than a couple runs going into the seventh. It was awesome to see Mel and Brooke hit those home runs and to win the seventh inning."

"I think we're special. I think we work hard. The coaches are all on board, all the scouting and the film. All the players, we're all on the same page. In every huddle after every inning, we try to set a little mini goal of, 'we need to push one. We need two people to get on. We need to get a bunt' or something. Setting those goals and then achieving those goals allows us to grow with our goals. Our goal was to win the series and it was awesome to win."
- Junior 2B Kelsey Jenkins

Up Next:
The Badgers open their home season with a series against Nebraska on Friday. UW hosts the Huskers at Goodman Diamond on Friday at 4 p.m. CT, Saturday at 12 p.m. and Sunday at 12 p.m.