LINCOLN, Neb. – The Wisconsin softball team bounced back in a big way Friday night, plowing over Nebraska, 6-1, at Bowlin Stadium.
 
Freshman Haley Hestekin was the definition of composure in the circle, holding the Huskers (30-18 overall, 8-9 Big Ten) to just one run and three hits in a complete game. It was her fifth conference victory of the season and the Badgers' (23-19, 7-8) seventh.
 
In the blink of an eye, the Badgers got out to a 1-0 lead. Kelsey Jenkins led off the first inning with a single up the middle before steeling second base and advancing to third on the throw. Brooke Wyderski sent her home in the next at-bat with a beautiful double to left field for her team-leading 37th RBI of the year. Freshman Taylor Johnson kept the inning alive with Wisconsin's third-straight hit when she singled to right field, but Nebraska stopped the Badgers from pulling off a double steal at second and home by catching Wyderski at the plate and holding UW to one run.
 
Nebraska evened the game at one run apiece off of back-to-back doubles in the bottom of the second inning.
 
The game didn't stay tied for long, as the top of the lineup struck again in the top of the third. With one out, Jenkins doubled to left on the first pitch to get into scoring position. The Badgers added a second baserunner via a Wyderski walk just in time for Johnson to slam one over the center field wall to give put the Badgers back on top, 4-1.
 
Johnson stayed red hot the entire game, blasting her second home run in the sixth inning to extend Wisconsin's lead to 6-1. She scored Wyderski in the process who was on base thanks to a single through the left side.
 
Batting Cleanup- Four notes to know

• Freshman Taylor Johnson homered twice for her fifth and six goners of the season. It was her first multi-homer game of the year and her career high for hits in a game. Johnson notched a career-high five RBI against the Huskers.
• Junior Melanie Cross is two hits away from 100 career hits.
• Five Badgers recorded two-or-more hits in the game.
• The 6-1 win was the largest margin of victory for the Badgers over the Huskers in series history. It was also UW's fifth-ever win over Nebraska.

On deck
The Badgers are back at it on Saturday at 1 p.m. for the second game of the series.