MADISON, Wis. – The Wisconsin softball team (4-6) travels to their next tournament, the Mary Nutter Collegiate Classic, starting Thursday, Feb. 22 and running until Saturday, Feb. 24. The Badgers are set to play six games in a three day span, with three of those opponents being ranked.
Here's what you need to know before the tournament.
1. WEEKEND IN FLORIDA – Wisconsin played their latest tournament in Clearwater, Florida as a part of the Clearwater Invitational. The Badgers lost all five of their games, with four coming against ranked opponents. Wisconsin held leads in four of the five games as well, including a 6-5 lead over No. 4 Georgia in the ninth inning. Wisconsin also held a 5-3 lead over No. 6 Oklahoma State in the fourth inning, and fell to No. 18 Kentucky by just one run, 6-5.
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2. POP AT THE PLATE – Even though the Badgers were unable to pick up a win at Clearwater, their power surge from the beginning of the season did not let up. Wisconsin hit seven home runs over their five tournament games, and now have 16 for the season, over half of the total the team had the entire last season.
Brooke Kuffel hit her team-leading, and single-season best, fifth home run of the season against Oklahoma State. Their 16 home runs are tied for the fifth most in the nation.
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3. BARK LEAVES THE PARK – Joining in the home run barrage is freshman
Alivia Bark, who's three home runs on the season are tied for the second most on the team. Bark enjoyed a stellar stretch in Clearwater Going 7-for-19 with 14 total bases, two home runs, five RBI, and eight runs scored. Bark now leads the team in hits, doubles, average, runs scored, and is a perfect four-for-four on the basepaths, while also playing first, second, and third base with no errors on the season.
4. MARY NUTTER CLASSIC – From Arizona to Florida, and now to California, the Badger's just tournament will be the Mary Nutter Classic in Cathedral City. The schedule for Wisconsin will not get any easier as the tournament begins with a double header against Oregon State and No. 11 Missouri at 1:30 PM CT and 9:30 PM CT. Friday is San Diego at 7:30 PM CT and then reigning champions No. 1 Oklahoma immediately after at 10:00 PM CT. Saturday is the third and final double-header, Long Beach State at 2 PM CT, and then No. 20 Utah at 7:30PM CT.
5. HOW TO WATCH – The games in the tournament will be available on FloSoftball. Live stats for every game are available on the Badger softball schedule on uwbadgers.com, and live updates will be given on the @badgersoftball Facebook, X, and Instagram pages.
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