MADISON, Wis. - The Wisconsin softball team fell in a tight game against No. 20 Northwestern in the series opener with a final score of 1-0.

The top of the second saw bases loaded for the Wildcats for most of the frame, and NU (26-9, 11-1) made the most of it, scoring the first run on Maddie Schwartz's thanks to a bases loaded walk. However, the Wildcats were denied on their second scoring attempt on a Skylar Sirdashney throw at home. 

Rylie Crane sent the Badger's first hit of the game through the infield for a single in the third inning. Northwestern kept Wisconsin hitless for two innings following the Crane line drive as the game remained a battle on the defensive end for both teams.

Maddie Schwartz retired nine-straight heading into the fifth inning and struck out the first batter of the frame before Northwestern's Kansas Robinson sent a double to the wall for the Wildcat's first hit of the game. Skylar Sirdashney got the Badgers out of the field with two straight put-outs, her sixth and seventh of the game. 

Sirdashney produced on the offensive end as well, finding a gap in the shallow right field to give Wisconsin its second hit. Unfortunately, two strikeouts in a row resulted in a stranded runner, and the inning ended. 

The bottom of the sixth was Wisconsin's best chance to gain the advantage as Konwent walked to start the inning. A Brooke Kuffel single, her seventh-straight game with a hit, and an Ellie Hubbard blooper to right loaded the bases for Wisconsin. Peyton Bannon hit a shot to the hot corner, where Northwestern's Hannah Cady made an inning-ending double play to hype up the Wildcats team and send the Badgers back to the dugout. 

No. 20 Northwestern retired three straight Badgers to end the game and secure the 1-0 victory. 

Maddie Schwartz (8-8) put on a performance striking out five in her complete game appearance. The senior allowed just four hits and one run, however, her four walks turned out to be the difference in the Big Ten showdown. 
 

"Batting Cleanup"

• Brooke Kuffel and Ellie Hubbard both extended their hit streak to six-straight games

Up Next: The Wisconsin softball team was originally scheduled to play Northwestern in its second game at 1:00 p.m. tomorrow, however, due to forecasted weather, the game was moved to 12:00 p.m. at Goodman Diamond.