MADISON, Wis. – Making its return home to Goodman Diamond, the Wisconsin softball team won the first game of their series against Michigan State, 3-2 on a blustery day in Madison.

After a pair of scoreless innings via a pitching duel in the circle between Maddie Schwartz and Ashley Miller, the UW (21-11, 6-4 Big Ten) offense put up three runs in the bottom of the third inning. 

Lauren Foster launched her first home run of the season to give UW a 1-0 lead against the Spartans (21-21, 1-10 Big Ten). Kayla Konwent followed Foster with a double to right field. With Eden Dempsey pinch running for Konwent, Fiona Girardot singled to left, scoring Dempsey and doubled the Badger advantage. Girardot later scored off a Skylar Sirdashney bunt that resulted in a MSU miscue to give UW a 3-0 lead after three. 

Michigan State cut the UW lead to one, hitting a two-run home run in the top of the sixth inning, but Schwartz and company were able to hold off the Spartans for a 3-2 win.

Schwartz finished with 10 strikeouts as she went the whole game only allowing three hits against 26 batters.

Batting Cleanup

• Kayla Konwent led UW with a pair of hits. The senior leads UW with 15 hits during Big Ten Conference play. 
• Maddie Schwartz picked up her 16th win of the season and her sixth win in conference action. 
• Lauren Foster now has eight career home runs.
• UW improved to 3-1 in games at Goodman Diamond this year. 

Straight from the Diamond
Head Coach Yvette Healy
"Awesome senior at bat, very veteran at bat by Lauren Foster. She had a home run against (Ashley) Miller last year and Miller doesn't give up many to anyone. That says a lot about her heart and her drive kind of leading the way. Maddie Schwartz on the mound, man. She was dealing, it was so fun watching her competing. 

They appreciate playing in front of their fans. I think Kayla, she can hit the long ball but watching her leg out a double. She just loves getting the fans cheering and she's got so much heart so it is fun to watch the energy."

Senior Shortstop Lauren Foster
"I think you're going to get a dub most of the time when you have big innings. It was awesome to start that and have the team behind me and Kayla come up right after me and get that single and then to get to two on that so that was awesome.

It was really cool to see Maddie come on top on that one. I love playing behind her, she's awesome."

Up Next:
UW will continue its series on Saturday with Michigan State with a 1 p.m. game. The Badgers and Spartans will wrap up their series on Sunday with a 1 p.m. contest