Off to a flying start: Badgers defeat Panthers, 5-1

Friday, February 16

Chapel Hill, NC

10 AM

Wisconsin Badgers

3-2

Pitt

3-2-1

Wisconsin

Pittsburgh

Photo by: Jack McLaughlin

Off to a flying start: Badgers defeat Panthers, 5-1

February 16, 2018 | Softball

Box Score Wisconsin vs. Pittsburgh - Game 1

Johnson leads with two RBI, Menz records season-high eight strikeouts

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.

What a play!!! ?? ?? pic.twitter.com/t4NBZIEHDW
— Wisconsin Softball (@BadgerSoftball) February 16, 2018

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.

*Shake, shake*

"Magic 8 ball, did Kate just record her eighth strikeout of the game?"

The ball doesn't lie! A new season high for KKKKKKKKate! And the season is sooooo young. pic.twitter.com/FTJcYmyWRi
— Wisconsin Softball (@BadgerSoftball) February 16, 2018

Straight from the Dugout:

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."