MADISON, Wis. – Soggy skies and rain delays couldn't stop the No. 25 Wisconsin softball team from completing a series sweep of Iowa Sunday evening at Goodman Diamond. The Badgers (30-5 overall, 7-2 B1G) took game three 4-2 for a 3-0 weekend against the Hawkeyes (15-18, 1-8).
 
Kayla Konwent and Taylor Johnson hit back-to-back singles to get things started on offense. Konwent's pinch runner Gabby Scherle and Johnson would both score off a Stephanie Lombardo sacrifice fly for a 2-0 lead after the first inning.
 
Iowa struck back with two runs in the top of the second to tie the game, but the Badgers quickly responded in the bottom of the frame. Sophomore Lauren Foster blasted a solo home run to center field.
 
The Badgers would tack on one last run in the fifth inning off a successful double steal. Heather Rudnicki stole second which allowed Konwent to steal home for UW's fourth run of the game.
 
Pitchers Haley Hestekin and Kaitlyn Menz split time in the circle with Hestekin earning the win while Menz earned the save. The duo combined for five strikeouts and zero walks.
 

Batting clean-up: Four notes to know

• Foster hit her first homer of the season for the go-ahead run.
• The 2019 Wisconsin Badgers became the fastest team in school history to reach 30 wins in a season.
• Johnson's hit in the first inning extended her hitting streak to 19 games.
• The Badgers swept Iowa for the first time since sweeping them in a doubleheader in 2011.

 

On deck

The Badgers are back on the road next weekend, traveling south to Evanston, Illinois, for a weekend series with Northwestern. Friday's game will begin at 4 p.m., Saturday's at 1 p.m. and Sunday's series finale will start at noon.