MADISON, Wis. - The Wisconsin Badger softball team will host the University of DePaul on Tuesday, April 11 at 4:00 p.m. before facing St. Thomas on Wednesday for a doubleheader starting at 2:00 p.m at Goodman Diamond.
1. LAST TIME OUT: The Badgers continue to succeed in conference play after sweeping the Purdue Boilermakers. In the three games played, Wisconsin gave up only one run thanks to the magnificent pitching performances of the Badgers. Specifically, fifth year Maddie Schwartz, started out the weekend strong throwing just the 11th no-hitter in Wisconsin softball history. Schwartz pitched a complete game in the first outing against the Boilermakers and had a perfect game through 5.2 innings, not allowing a single runner on base until Purdue earned a two-out walk. In game two, Tessa Magnanimo threw the second straight 7-0 shutout for Wisconsin in Saturday's game. The Badger bats were just as on fire as Ellie Hubbard sent a triple to the wall for her first of the year along with a Peyton Bannon double and Christaana Angelopulos home run. On Easter Sunday, Wisconsin rose to the occasion once again with Kayla Konwent getting two hits for the third straight game along with a 2-for-4 performance from Ellie Hubbard giving Wisconsin the 5-1 victory.
2. SCHWARTZ SPECTACULAR: Maddie Schwartz has been the Badger's go-to on the mound for the past few years yet her success and ability just continues to shine during her time here. The Minnesota native was perfect in 5.2 innings of work in the series' first game and put on just two runners with a walk and a Badger defensive error in the right-hander's no-hitter. It took Schwartz just 61 pitches to accomplish the feat, never throwing more than 14 an inning. Schwartz appeared in a total of 13.1 innings and remained hitless in all of them. Due to the incredible showing by the graduate student, Maddie Schwartz was named the Big Ten Pitcher of the week for the second time in her career. Previously, Schwartz was awarded the distinction the week of May 2, 2022.
3. KEEP UP WITH KONWENT: Kayla Konwentt continues to be the star of the show and heart of the team. The graduate student tacked on another home run in the series against Purdue to grab her team-leading eighth of the season. Konwent had two hits in each of the three games going 6-for-9 against the Boilermakers to accumulate a .667 batting average and 3 RBI. With the success of the weekend, Konwent now is atop of the team with a .373 batting average and a .723 slugging percentage thanks to her 31 hits in 30 games. The Wisconsin native also stands a top of the team rankings with the most multiple-hit games on the year with 10.
4. SCOUTING THE OPPONENT: The first opponent of the week, DePaul University has been a solid Big East opponent over the years, however, the team has struggled in this most recent season. The Illinois based team is currently 12-20 and 4-8 in conference play (Big East). Sophomore Anna Wohlers has found success though, with a .387 batting average and a .816 slugging percentage the visiting team will look to her and Brooke Johnson, also with 36 hits, to produce.
Looking to Wednesday, the University of St. Thomas, is a recent addition to Division 1 softball as of 2021 and their results reflect that. The Tommies are currently 11-24 and 3-5 in the Summit League. Although, this team is currently on a three game win streak but look to leaders Brooke Ellestad and Avery Wukawitz to change that. Ellestad leads the team with a batting average of .350 and 36 hits in her second year on the team. Wukwawitz has amassed 35 hits and holds a .343 batting average after going 2-4 in every game in their series against Western Illinois.
5. UP NEXT: Following the single game against DePaul and the doubleheader versus St. Thomas the Badgers will turn to the University of Northwestern. No. 20/23 Northwestern will head to Madison in a battle for first place in the Big Ten for a three game series this upcoming weekend starting on Friday, April 14 at 5 p.m. CT at Goodman Diamond.
