CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – The No. 23 Wisconsin softball team suffered a heart-breaking loss to Illinois Sunday afternoon at Eichelberger Field. The Illini edged the Badgers, 6-5 to win two out of three games on the weekend.
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It was the Badgers (22-5, 1-2) who struck first after freshman
Jolie Fish hit a solo home run over the left field wall to make it a 1-0 game.
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After Illinois (20-7 overall, 2-1 B1G) knotted the game with a home run in the bottom of the second, UW regained the lead with two more runs in the top of the third inning. Junior
Caroline Hedgcock scored the first run on a single to left center and Fish struck again in the next at bat with a beautifully placed bunt to score
Taylor Johnson.
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Taking a 3-2 lead into the fifth inning, consecutive hits helped tack on UW's fourth run of the game. Johnson reached base on a single and was sent home when senior
Stephanie Lombardo doubled to center field. Illinois was also able to score a run in the frame, making it a 4-3 ball game.
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Sophomore
Lauren Foster made some noise in the sixth inning with a hit that landed her all the way on third base. She was able to increase UW's lead to 5-3 thanks to a
Kelly Welsh bunt.
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The game seemed to be in Wisconsin's hands late in the seventh inning, but Illinois was able to rally with two outs and nobody on. A bases-loaded double ultimately ended the game, with the Illini winning 6-5.
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Junior
Kaitlyn Menz pitched all seven innings in the game. She struck out five batters during the contest. Â
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Notes to know
- Fish's home run was her first as a Badger.
- Johnson finished the weekend with a team-high eight hits.
- The Badgers lost two-straight games for the first time this season.
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On deck
The Badgers open up their home season Tuesday afternoon, hosting Northern Iowa for a double header. Games are scheduled for 3 and 5 p.m. at Goodman Diamond.
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