Five things to know: Islander Invitational

Islander Invitational

Friday, Feb. 22 - Sunday, Feb. 24 | Corpus Christi, Texas

MADISON, Wis. – The 8-1 Wisconsin softball team is looking carry its momentum from a 4-0 weekend at the ACC/Big Ten Challenge into its next tournament this weekend. The Badgers will travel to Corpus Christi, Texas, for the Islander Invitational. UW plays Texas A&M- Corpus Christi at 10:30 a.m. and Texas Southern at 1 p.m. on Friday, Texas Southern at 10 a.m. and TAMU-CC 12:30 p.m. on Saturday and close out the weekend against TAMU-CC at 10 a.m. on Sunday.

1. SWEEP SUCCESS: The Badgers were a perfect 4-0 last weekend at the ACC/Big Ten Challenge and picked up two ranked wins over No. 17 North Carolina State. UW will enter the Islander Invitational with an 8-1 record and five-game win streak.

2. GO JO: On the weekend, freshman Jolie Fish led the team with a .500 batting average. The freshman tallied five hits, two runs and a RBI in her 10 plate appearances.

3. CROSSING OUT OPPONENTS: Senior Melanie Cross had quite the weekend in Raleigh, especially in UW's final game against NC State. Cross tallied a season-high five RBI to help the Badgers grab a 6-3 victory.

4. KK KOUNTER: Junior Kayla Knowent extended her hitting streak to nine games after her five hits at the ACC/Big Ten Challenge. Konwent is leading the Badgers through nine games in batting average (.464), hits (13), doubles (3) and on base percentage (.559).

5. SCOUTING THE OPPONENTS:
Texas A&M- Corpus Christi- The host Islanders are 1-8 this season, their one win coming over Incarnate Word, 6-2. TAMU-CC is led by freshman Kennedy Johnson. The rookie is batting .360 with a team-best nine hits, seven RBI and 15 total bases.The Islanders assistant coach is former Badger powerhouse, Stephanie Peace, who led the Badgers to two NCAA Regional appearances.

Texas Southern- The Tigers began their season 0-3 and will play one more game before competing at the Islander Invitational. In 2018 TSU finished 24-18-1 overall with a 11-5 conference record to win the western division of the Southwestern Athletic Conference.