MADISON, Wis. – The Wisconsin softball team was quick to take care of business against Purdue Thursday in the first round of the Big Ten Tournament at Goodman Diamond. The Badgers came out on top 8-0 in five innings and will face Minnesota tomorrow in the second round at 11:30 a.m.
After two quick outs in the bottom of the first inning, the Badger bats came to life and were here to stay. Taylor Johnson drew a walk and was scored by Melanie Cross when she doubled to center field for the first run of the day. Cross gained company from Stephanie Lombardo on the basepath after she was walked. In the next at-bat, freshman Lauren Foster hit a two-RBI double of her own to give Wisconsin a 3-0 lead.
Johnson smashed a solo homer to left center that sparked a five-run rally in the bottom of the third. The Badgers loaded the bases with one out and tacked on two more runs when pinch hitter Samantha Arents singled through the middle. With the bases loaded for a second time, senior Brooke Wyderski snuck a single into sallow center sending two more teammates home.
Freshman pitcher Haley Hestekin limited Purdue to two hits while striking out two batters in her five innings in the circle.
Batting cleanup: Four notes to know
- The Badgers earned their first run-rule win in Big Ten Tournament history.
- Freshman Lauren Foster earned a career-high two RBI in her first Big Ten Tournament game.
- Wisconsin outhit Purdue 8-2, including four doubles.
- Third baseman Taylor Johnson hit her team-leading eighth home run of the season.
On deck
The seventh-seeded Badgers will meet up with No. 2 Minnesota in second round of the Big Ten Tournament tomorrow at 11 a.m. Check out the
Tournament Central website for information on tomorrow's game.
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