CHAPEL HILL, N.C. -- With a narrow 2-1 lead over Pittsburgh headed into the fifth, Wisconsin softball unloaded with three runs to take a dominant 5-1 lead that it never relinquished, clinching its first win of the Big Ten/ACC Challenge on Friday morning.
Junior Gabby Scherle led off the fifth with a single bunt and then Brooke Wyderski followed behind after getting nailed by a pitch, putting two on for Melanie Cross. The junior catcher laid in a sacrifice bunt that moved both runners into scoring position for freshman Taylor Johnson. Johnson fired a two-RBI double to left center, marking her fourth hit in five games. She was brought in by a rocket double to center field from senior Samantha Arents, her second of the day, securing the UW victory.
The Badgers got on the board in the first inning thanks to a great situation set up by Arents. Arents, the designated player, knocked a hard single to center field allowing fellow senior Brianna Flugaur to move into scoring position on third. Freshman Lauren Foster finished it off forcing a play to get her out at first, which allowed Flugaur to get the Badgers up 1-0.
Following a strikeout by sophomore pitcher Kaitlyn Menz, Pitt retaliated with a solo home run. But Menz didn't stay down long, striking out the next batter faced.
Wisconsin kept up its scoring ways in the third inning, capitalizing on a Pitt miscue to regain the lead, 2-1. Scherle reached and advanced to second on a throwing error but rounded the bases when senior Wyderski smashed a double down the right-field line.
The Wisconsin defense was looking sharp in the sunshine with senior Kelsey Jenkins turning a perfect double play right off the bat in the first inning. UW ended the game just like it started, turning a double play to clinch the game for the final outs.
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The defense was standing behind a dominant performance from Menz in the circle. The sophomore recorded a new season high that was just one short of her career best, striking out eight Panthers.
Three Notes to Know:
- Badger freshmen were responsible for three of the five RBI, with Taylor Johnson leading the entire team with two RBI.
- Sophomore Kaitlyn Menz dealt eight strikeouts, which is one shy of her career high.
- Junior Gabby Scherle and senior Samantha Arents led the squad with two hits apiece, while Scherle led both teams with two runs.
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Straight from the Dugout:Â
Head coach Yvette Healy
"I'm really proud of how the team came out of the gates, representing Wisconsin and the Big Ten. Kate (Menz) pitched a great game and had good run support with freshmen giving us three out of our five RBI."
On Deck:
The Badgers face Pittsburgh again tomorrow morning at 10 a.m. before taking on the host North Carolina at 12:30 p.m.
