MADISON, Wis. – The Wisconsin softball team will open its season at the Texas Classic this weekend in Austin, Texas. On Friday UW begins the tournament with a game against Colorado State at 11 a.m. before taking on Texas at 7 p.m. Saturday the Badgers play Texas at 3:30 p.m. and Incarnate Word at 6 p.m. On Sunday, UW wraps up the weekend with a game against Colorado State at 10 a.m.
 
1. STARTING SEVEN: Seven Wisconsin starters, including Kelsey Jenkins, Stephanie Lombardo, Brooke Wyderski, Jordan Little, Gabby Scherle, Kelly Welsh, and Kaitlyn Menz, are back for the 2018 season. Menz and Wyderski earned second team All-Big Ten honors last season while Jenkins was named to the All-Defensive team.
 
2. SWINGING FOR THE FENCES: Last season the Badgers hit 42 home runs while holding their opponents to only 16 homers. They'll look to be dominant at the plate once again this season.
 
3. SLICK SIX: This weekend will be the first opportunity for UW's six freshman to see action as a Badger. Three freshman to watch for include pitcher Haley Hestekin and infielders Taylor Johnson and Lauren Foster.
 
4. SCOUTING THE OPPONENTS: Colorado State was 28-22 during the 2017 season. The Rams are led by junior Amber Nelson who hit a team-high .391 with 40 RBIs and 12 home runs last season. The Badgers defeated CSU twice in Fort Collins last season, 8-1 and 16-0. The Badgers hold 4-2 record over the Rams and actually faced them twice in Austin in 2011, where the Badgers won 5-1 and 7-6.
 
The Longhorns finished the 2017 season 33-26. A 2017 NCAA Tournament qualifier, Texas went 2-2 in the regional round, ultimately falling to No. 12 Texas A&M. In the first USA Today/NFCA Coaches poll Texas is receiving votes. Texas leads the all-time series against Wisconsin 4-1, with the Badgers' last win coming in their first meeting in 2001, 4-0. The Longhorns and Badgers last met in 2011 in Austin where UT won 15-1.  
 
UW's final opponent at the Texas Classic is Incarnate Word. The Cardinals finished 13-40 last season. Junior Shelby Neatherlin produced a team-high 25 RBI in 2017.
 
5. FALL RECAP: This fall the Badgers went 3-1 in exhibition play. UW secured two wins in a doubleheader against Illinois Chicago, 9-3 and 5-2, and also bested Des Moines Area Community College, 2-1.