TUCSON, Ariz. – The Wisconsin softball team faced a pair of ranked opponents Friday, shutting out No. 24 USC Upstate, 2-0, before dropping a one-run decision to No. 9 Arizona, 1-0, to go 1-1 on the first day of the Wildcat Invitational.
 
WISCONSIN VS. No. 24 USC UPSTATE
The Badgers' first game of the day featured an epic battle from the circle featuring UW's Kaitlyn Menz and USC Upstate's Christina Biggerstaff. Through four scoreless innings, the two pitchers combined for 14 strikeouts and did not allow a run.
 
Wisconsin broke through in the fifth frame. Junior Kelly Welsh drew a leadoff walk and advanced to second off a wild pitch just in time for senior Kelsey Jenkins' single up the middle that sent Welsh home. Jenkins moved to second on the throw putting her in scoring position with no outs. Senior Brooke Wyderski capitalized on the opportunity, hitting a clutch double to score Jenkins.
 
The two-run fifth inning proved to be enough for the Badgers as the stellar pitching from Menz cemented Wisconsin's 12th win of the season, 2-0. Menz shut out the undefeated Spartans and finished with a career-high 10 strikeouts while only allowing one hit and three walks.

WISCONSIN VS. No. 9 ARIZONA
The Badgers played another close game against Arizona but were unable to hand the Wildcats their third loss of the season, falling 1-0.
 
Arizona's Alyssa Palomino scored the only run in the game when she hit a home run to right field in the bottom of the third inning.  
 
The Badgers tried to battle back in the fourth inning with Jenkins and Gabby Scherle hitting back-to-back singles with no outs, but the Wildcats retired the next three Badgers to maintain their 1-0 lead.
 
Freshman Haley Hestekin had a solid performance in the circle, notching five strikeouts and only allowing three hits against a very potent Arizona offense.
 
 

Notes to know

• Pitcher Kaitlyn Menz threw a career-high 10 strikeouts against USC Upstate.
• The Badgers defeat their second ranked team of the season, taking out No. 12 Auburn and No. 24 USC Upstate.
• Freshman Taylor Johnson reached base in all three of her plate appearances vs. USC Upstate.
• The Badgers earned six hits against USC Upstate's Bridgerstaff, the most she's given up this season.
• UW out hit No. 9 Arizona 4-3.
• The Badgers are only the second team this season to hold the Wildcats to one run.

 

On deck

Tomorrow the Badgers begin their day with a rematch against No. 9 Arizona at 12 p.m. CT and take on South Dakota to wrap things up at 4 p.m.