CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – Shutting out a top-25 team is no easy feat, but the Wisconsin softball team did it when the Badgers blanked No. 22 (ESPN/USA Softball) Illinois 3-0 at Eichelberger Field on Saturday afternoon.

Despite giving up a leadoff double to the Illini (35-12 overall, 13-4 Big Ten), the Badgers (29-13, 8-11) recovered nicely with three-straight putouts off of two unassisted outs by Stephanie Lombardo and the final pop up to Kaitlyn Menz to end the first inning.

The second inning was quiet as both teams each tallied a hit but left a runner stranded.

The Badgers took the Illini down in order in the bottom of the third to keep the game scoreless through three innings. UW evened up the hit column in the top of the fourth when Lombardo ripped a shot through the left side but the Badgers still couldn't make anything of it.

Wisconsin had one of its best opportunities of the game when freshman Jordan Little knocked in a hit to the Illini shortstop who then overthrew it, advancing Little to second. Little threatened even more as she moved over to third after a groundout by pinch-hitter, Samantha Arents. Little was eventually tagged out at home plate, leaving both teams scoreless headed into the bottom of the fifth.

With two outs, the Illini loaded up the bases in the bottom of the fifth off of three walks, but Menz took down the final batter, saving the Badgers from a dangerous situation.

Junior Kelsey Jenkins led off the top of the sixth inning with a single right up the middle and was moved to second off of a sacrifice bunt from Chloe Miller. Junior Brooke Wyderski put the Badgers on the board first with a double to left field that sent Jenkins home for the 1-0 UW lead.

The Badger offense tacked on a pair of insurance runs in the seventh UW loaded the bases thanks to three walks issued by Illinois. Jenkins was hit by a pitch to bring in one run and Miller used a fiery shot through the right side to tack on the third and final run for UW.

Menz and company retired the Illinois lineup in order in the bottom of the seventh to tie up the series.

Details from the Dugout:
"What a huge win. Coming back from a tough game last night and we were joking with the team that you don't get do-overs in life, but in softball there's always day two. For Kate to come out the second day after them putting up some big runs on her and to throw a shutout, she was just unbelievable. To have a freshman have that kind of toughness and composure. To get pretty hard by a team and beat by them, and to come back out and throw a better game the next day, it's impressive."

"I thought Sara Novak did a great job at third base. She was really challenged, she had her feet moving and made some good plays. Steph Lombardo though, she's the most improved kid out there. She pick some tough balls and got the lead runner in some pretty critical situations. Really impressed with how she played today."

"It's tough, you don't know when you're dealing with weather, what you're up against. We're taking it one day at a time and I think that's the same thing with the team. We're a good squad, everyone's got their eyes on wanting to be a postseason team, but we really just pull the focus back. Let's just play good softball. That's what was most impressive today, it was good team softball.
"When you see Chloe Miller putting down sacrifice bunts so that Brooke Wyderski can get the big hit, that's a pretty selfless senior with the batting average that she's got. That's the kind of team we have. The back side of the lineup gets on, you get runs scored out of Gabby Scherle and Kelly Welsh. Those are huge runs at the bottom of the lineup that they're able to get on and pressure the other team, turn it over to the top and have KJ come through and do some big things for us. It's fun to see the team ball that we're playing."
-UW Head Coach Yvette Healy

Notes to Know:
-This is the third shutout of the Big Ten season against the Illini and just the second by an unranked opponent.
-Freshman Kaitlyn Menz earned her 20^th win of the season and threw her fifth shutout of the season.
-Brooke Wyderski clinched her 50^th hit of the season.

Up Next:
The Badgers and Illini are scheduled to close the series at 1 p.m. CT at Eichelberger Field.