Kelsey Jenkins
Tom Lynn
11
Winner Wisconsin WIS 24-19
4
Nebraska NEB 30-19
Winner
Wisconsin WIS
24-19
11
Final
4
Nebraska NEB
30-19
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 R H E
Wisconsin WIS 4 0 0 2 0 4 1 11 10 1
Nebraska NEB 3 0 0 0 0 1 0 4 5 0

W: Hestekin, Haley (14-6) L: Ferrell (8-6)

Game Recap: Softball |

I am KJ, hear me roar!

Jenkins drives in career-high five RBI, Lombardo hits fifth homer of the season

LINCOLN, Neb. – It was a historic day for Wisconsin softball (24-19 overall, 8-8 Big Ten) as the Badgers took down Nebraska (30-19, 8-10) with an 11-4 victory to clinch the first-ever series win for UW over the Huskers. The victory was made possible by another steady day in the circle for freshman Haley Hestekin, a career-high five RBI from senior Kelsey Jenkins and a first-inning home run from junior Stephanie Lombardo.

Just like the day before, the Badgers had a hot start to the game. And it was seriously hot, putting up four runs off of two hits. Jenkins led off the game by drawing a walk and then was moved over to second when senior Brooke Wyderski singled to left field. Taylor Johnson reached on a fielder's choice that caught Wyderski but that put runners on the corners with one out for Lombardo.
 
"Slambardo" knocked one over left center to give UW a 4-0 advantage. It was her fifth home run of the season and her 15th hit.

After Jordan Little took a walk and Gabby Scherle dropped a hit over second base, Jenkins came up and singled through the left side, adding two more runs off of two hits and giving UW a 5-3 edge before a sac fly from Wyderski made it 6-3.

KJ (Jenkins) wreaked more havoc in the top of the sixth inning. After three-consecutive singles from Little, Scherle and Kelly Welsh, Jenkins sent a rocket to left field that rolled into foul territory, giving enough time for all three runners to come home and put the Badgers up 9-3. A sacrifice fly from Melanie Cross pushed Jenkins through and secured a 10-4 lead through six innings after Nebraska added one run in the bottom frame.

But the senior wasn't done quite yet. She finished it off by slicing a single to left field in the top of the seventh inning, scoring Little and sealing the final 11-4 triumph.

Hestekin had another good performance, pitching another complete game and letting up four runs off of five hits, while striking out three batters.

Batting Cleanup – 4 Notes to Know:
  • The Badgers clinched their first-ever series win over Nebraska.
  • Senior Kelsey Jenkins knocked in a career-high five RBI, which ties Johnson for the season game high, which she set yesterday against Nebraska.
  • Lombardo hit her fifth home run of the season and the 12th of her career.
  • The Badgers notched 11 runs and 11 RBI, a season high in conference-only games.
 
On Deck:
The Badgers and Huskers finish the series on Sunday at noon.
 
 
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