I am KJ, hear me roar!

Saturday, April 28

Lincoln, NE

1 PM

Wisconsin Badgers

24-19, 0

Nebraska

30-19, 0

Wisconsin

Nebraska

Photo by: Tom Lynn

April 28, 2018 | Softball

Box Score Watch: Game two highlights

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.

Not messing around today.

HOMERRRRRR! #Badgers lead 4-0 after the top of the first frame pic.twitter.com/lqEAEd68UX
— Wisconsin Softball (@BadgerSoftball) April 28, 2018

"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.