MADISON, Wis. - The University of Wisconsin softball team got the chance to secure the series in the second game of the and did so successfully, beating Iowa 9-0 in a five inning shutout.
Wisconsin scored fast and early as the offense found its groove in the bottom of the first inning. Kayla Konwent started things off with a double to left field, her seventh of the season. Brooke Kuffel followed in the trend of Konwent and hit a double down the left field line to bring in the Badgers first run as Marytherese Nevin, pinch-running for Konwent, crossed the plate. Ellie Hubbard then drew a walk before Peyton Bannon laid down a perfect squeeze bunt to score Kuffel for Wisconsin's second run. The Badgers continued to stay hot as Molly Schlosser roped a 2- RBI triple down the right field line to clear the bases and give Wisconsin the 4-0 lead in the first.
Konwent and Katie Keller carried the momentum into the bottom of the second inning when Keller cranked her first hit of the game with a single to left field. Konwent then doubled for the second-straight time to score Keller and extend the Badgers lead.
The inning looked to be over as both teams made their way to the dugouts before the umpires brought Ellie Hubbard back up to bat on a foul tip ball instead of strikeout. In the first pitch back up, Hubbard blasted the ball over the left field wall to score two more runs. Peyton Bannon felt the energy and hit a single to left to continue the inning before Molly Schlosser doubled to score her and give Wisconsin the 8-0 advantage.
In the bottom of the third, Skylar Sirdashney made her way on base with a single to left. Bree Mitchell then came in to pinch run for Sirdashney and successfully stole second to put herself in scoring position. Katie Keller singled to advance Mitchell to third before the freshman made her way home thanks to an error by the Hawkeyes' right fielder. With that, the Badgers went up 9-0.
Wisconsin held on to the large lead due to the phenomenal work from Paytn Monticelli (7-3) on the mound. Through five innings, Monticelli threw seven strikeouts and gave up just three hits in the 9-0 shutout.
"Batting Cleanup"
Up Next: Wisconsin wil get a chance to sweep the Hawkeyes in tomorrow's 1:00 pm. series finale. The Badgers will also honor the seven seniors that have dedicated their time to the softball program in the final game of the regular season.
