Comeback kids: Badgers chew up Beavers in eight innings

Friday, May 18

Tuscaloosa, AL

6 p.m.

Wisconsin Badgers

29-21

Oregon State

28-27

Wisconsin

Oregon State

Photo by: Vasha Hunt

Comeback kids: Badgers chew up Beavers in eight innings

May 18, 2018 | Softball

Box Score Photo Gallery WATCH: NCAA tournament game one highlights

Little sparks late rally with two-run dinger to help UW win 9-3

TUSCALOOSA, Ala.—Never count out the Wisconsin softball team. The Badgers trailed Oregon State 3-2 going into the seventh inning but forced extra innings and never looked back. Wisconsin won the first game of the Tuscaloosa Regional, 9-3.

The Beavers (28-27) scored a run in the first inning and took a 3-0 lead after a two-run home run in the bottom of the third.

Sophomore Jordan Little put the Badgers (29-21) on the board in the top of the fifth inning with a two-run homer of her own. She hit an absolute bomb that ricocheted off the top of the scoreboard in center field scoring Brianna Flugaur who was pinch running for Lauren Foster after the freshman was walked.

With the rally caps on and two outs in the seventh, three-straight walks from Little, Gabby Scherle and Kelly Welsh loaded the bases for Kelsey Jenkins. The senior hit a clutch single to the shortstop to tie the game at three runs apiece.

With an Oregon State runner on second with two outs, shortstop Brooke Wyderski made a spectacular back-handed stab at a line drive to save the game and force extra innings.

Brooke Wyderski with the catch to save the game for @BadgerSoftball! Wisconsin and @BeaverSoftball are going to extras! #NCAASoftball pic.twitter.com/jOKdw5BMz0
— NCAA Softball (@NCAAsoftball) May 19, 2018

The eighth inning was all about the Badgers. Melanie Cross and Stephanie Lombardo hit back-to-back singles helping UW load the bases after Foster reached on an error. Little tallied her third RBI of the night and scored the go-ahead run for a 4-3 Wisconsin lead.

The fun didn't stop there! A Scherle single scored another run and a sac fly from Welsh widened UW's lead to 6-3.

For some extra insurance, freshman Taylor Johnson knocked in three more runs with a beautifully placed double to right field that scored Little, Scherle and Jenkins.

Sophomore Kaitlyn Menz pitched a stellar five innings in relief. She struck out two batters and didn't allow any runs.

Batting cleanup: Four notes to know

Sophomore Jordan Little hit her first home run of the season and the fifth of her career. Little also tallied a season-high three RBI.
Wisconsin outhit Oregon State 8-7.
Taylor Johnson recorded a stolen base for the 14th time this season, a team high.
The Badgers clinched their eighth NCAA tournament victory.

On deck
The Badgers move on to face the winner of No. 12 Alabama and Middle Tennessee in the winner's bracket tomorrow at 1:30 p.m. (CT). The game will air live on ESPN3.