Five things to know: USF-Clearwater Parks and Recreation Showcase

USF-Clearwater Parks and Recreation Showcase

Friday, March 8 - Sunday, March 10 | Clearwater, Fla.

MADISON, Wis. – The Wisconsin softball team will play in its final tournament before conference play begins, traveling to Clearwater, Florida this weekend for the USF-Clearwater Parks and Recreation Showcase. On Friday the Badgers will face Massachusetts at 10:30 a.m. (CT) followed by USF at 1 p.m. UW play back-to-back games against Central Michigan and Furman on Saturday beginning at 11 a.m. before finishing the weekend with an 8 a.m. game against Villanova on Sunday.

1. AMONGST THE BEST: After a 4-1 weekend at the Sun Devil Classic, including ranked wins over No. 9 Texas and No. 15 Arizona State, the 17-2 Badgers earned their first appearance in the major softball rankings this week. Wisconsin jumped into the USA Today/NFCA Coaches poll at No. 23 and is ranked No. 20 on the ESPN.com/USA Softball poll. UW's appearance at No. 20 in the polls marks the lowest ranking the program has ever received.

2. BIG WEEKEND, B1G PLAYER: After an impressive showing in Arizona, junior Caroline Hedgcock earned Big Ten Co-Player of the Week honors. On the weekend, Hedgcock hit a team-best .429 with a team-high six hits, nine RBI and two home runs. Hedgcock has tallied five home runs in the last 10 games.

3. SQUAD GOALS: The Wisconsin pitching squad has been dialed in this season, putting up a 1.21 ERA through 19 games. That mark ranks second in the conference and fifth nationally. Junior Kaitlyn Menz leads the Badgers with a 0.68 ERA.

4. RBI QUEEN: Senior Melanie Cross ranks first in the Big Ten and fourth in the nation in RBI this season. Cross has tallied 27 RBI, just five short of national leader Shelbi Sunseri's (LSU) 32 RBI.

5. SCOUTING THE OPPONENTS:
UMass- The Minutewomen have an 8-7 record this season and are coming off a 5-0 weekend at the Purple and Gold Invitational. Senior Kaitlyn Stavinoha and sophomore Kiara Oliver were named Atlantic 10 Player and Pitcher of the Week, respectively, for their outstanding efforts.

South Florida- The Bulls hold a 12-9 record through their first four weeks of play. They are 1-4 against ranked teams after beating No. 9 Arizona 4-1 earlier this season. Sophomore pitcher Georgina Corrick was named American Conference Pitcher of the Week after earning her ninth-straight win last weekend.

Central Michigan- The Chippewas are 7-8 this season after a 3-2 weekend at the Madeira Beach Tournament last weekend. Freshman outfielder Shannon Stein earned Mid-American Conference Player of the Week accolades hitting three home runs tallying eight RBI.

Furman- The Paladins were 3-2 in the first weekend of the USF-Clearwater Parks and Recreation Showcase to improve their overall record to 5-11 this season. Sophomore Marissa Guimbarda was named Southern Conference Player of the Week while teammate Emily DeMonte picked up Pitcher of the Week honors.

Villanova- The Wildcats are 7-8 in 2019 and were 3-2 last weekend at the Madeira Beach Tournament. Sophomore Paige Rauch was named to BIG EAST Weekly Honor Roll for her weekend batting average of .467 and ERA of 1.94. She also tallied two homers in Villanova's win over Presbyterian.