TUCSON, Ariz. – The Wisconsin softball team split a pair of games at the Wildcat Invitational on Saturday, suffering a 9-3 loss against host No. 9 Arizona, but then bouncing back with a 6-3 decision over South Dakota.

ARIZONA
The Badgers started the day strong, putting up two runs on powerhouse Arizona right off the bat in the first inning. Gabby Scherle knocked in the first hit of the game to left field and was quickly followed by Brooke Wyderski, who shot one to right field. Junior catcher Melanie Cross followed suit and made it three hits in a row, giving the outfield a fair share of work and blooping a hit to center field. With the bases loaded and two outs, the moment came down to Reilly Peters who received her first-ever start for the Badgers. The freshman delivered. Peters fired a single into the infield, scoring both Scherle and Wyderski to give the Badgers a 2-0 lead. 

The Wildcats reciprocated in the bottom of the first frame, pushing in two runs off of three hits. Arizona unleashed in the bottom of the third inning, putting in four runs off of five hits. Arizona secured a 9-2 lead in the bottom of the fifth inning, as the Wildcats tacked on three more runs. Wisconsin staged a small comeback in the final inning when Kelly Welsh chopped in a single through the left side and was moved to third when senior Kelsey Jenkins — a native of Tucson — doubled down the left-field line. Sam Arents grounded out and Welsh came in on time, but it wasn't enough as Wisconsin fell, 9-3. Sophomore Kaitlyn Menz took the loss, but is now four away from 200 career strikeouts.
 
SOUTH DAKOTA
Jenkins started the Badgers on a strong note, blasting a double to left field in the leadoff spot. Scherle was walked to put two runners on for Wyderski, who smashed a two-RBI double to left field to give UW an early 2-0 lead. 

The Badgers added on in the next inning when Welsh hit a two-RBI dinger right over left center, scoring both her and Heather Rudnicki, who was on base after dropping a single in right field. The home run was the first of Welsh's career and put Wisconsin up 4-0.

South Dakota got on the board in the top of the fourth inning. 

Wisconsin clinched its final two runs in the bottom of the fifth inning and although South Dakota added two runs in the top of the seventh, UW took the 6-3 victory. A triple from Taylor Johnson scored Scherle and then Johnson came home after a big-time RBI single from Samantha Arents.
 
Batting Cleanup – 4 Notes to Know: 

• Senior Kelsey Jenkins is on a five-game hitting streak and has a 23-game reached base streak.
• Junior Kelly Welsh knocked out the first home run of her career against South Dakota.
• Freshman Taylor Johnson had three hits in three appearances against South Dakota and nearly hit for the cycle with a single, double and triple.
• Jenkins and Johnson lead Wisconsin on the weekend with five hits each. 

 
On Deck:
The Badgers finish out the Wildcat Invitational with a game against San Diego at 12 p.m. (CT).