Around the Horn: Badgers move to Utah Tech Invitational

Friday, March 1

St. George, UT

12 PM

Wisconsin Badgers

Utah Tech

Photo by: Ashley Steltenpohl

Around the Horn: Badgers move to Utah Tech Invitational

February 27, 2024 | Softball

Wisconsin to face Utah Tech and Utah in tournament

By: Jake Ross

Venue	Karl Brooks Field \| St. George, Utah
Live Stats	Utah Tech \| Utah
Live Stream	vs Utah Tech
Game Notes	Wisconsin
Social Media	Twitter \| Facebook \| Instagram

MADISON, Wis. – Coming off a successful 4-2 run at the Mary Nutter Collegiate Classic in Cathedral City, California, the Wisconsin softball team (8-8) will travel to Karl Brooks Field, home of Utah Tech, to participate in the Utah Tech Invitational in St. George. Wisconsin will play five games against Utah Tech and Utah from Friday, Mar. 1 to Sunday, Mar. 3.

Here's what you need to know before the tournament.

1. ULTRA UNDERCLASSMEN – A bulk of the offensive production so far this season is the product of freshmen and sophomores, including the most recent tournament. Freshman Hilary Blomberg, and sophomore Emily Bojan went 7-for-14 and 5-for-11 respectively, leading the team in average. Sophomore Ava Kuszak collected three extra base-hits and ten total bases, the most on the team, while freshman Alivia Bark, drove in the most runners during the tournament with four. Blomberg and Bark lead the team with a .387 and .362 average. Maria Van Abel's .354 average in 2012, is the current record for average by a freshman in program history.

🔼4th | HILARY EVENS THE GAME 🙌@BlombergHilary drives in the runner with the single, and this one is tied at 2!

WIS 2 | OU 2@FloSoftball | https://t.co/vUVCJRMDVA pic.twitter.com/h594ZANX4v
— Wisconsin Softball (@BadgerSoftball) February 24, 2024

2. IN A FLASH – The Badger's swiped nine bases during Mary Nutter, while only being caught once. This includes a five-steal performance in a 8-0 victory against San Diego, tying their season high. Wisconsin is 27-33 in stolen base attempts this season, the second most of any Big Ten team. Freshman Danielle Lucey leads the way, going 8-for-10 in her attempts, tied for first in the conference.

3. YOU COMPLETE ME – Wisconsin's three player pitching staff split the workload over the course of their latest tournament. Each of the starters pitched ten plus innings, with every one of them notching a complete game. In total, Wisconsin pitchers went the distance in four-of-six games at Mary Nutter. Gabi Salo recorded two, one a complete game shutout against San Diego, pitching 13.0 innings, with just two runs allowed. Tessa Magnanimo produced a 2.39 ERA in 14.2 innings, pitching all seven in UW's victory over No. 20 Utah. And Shelby Jacobson earned her first complete game and shutout against Long Beach State.

4. UTAH TECH INVITATIONAL – Wisconsin's cross-country journey to start the season next brings them to St. George, Utah home of the Utah Tech Trailblazers. The Badgers play their first two games of the tournament against the Trailblazers Friday, Mar. 1 at 12 PM, and then immediately after at 3 PM. The remaining three games all come against Utah, who Wisconsin beat 4-2 last Saturday in their most recent game. Saturday, Mar. 2 will be a double-header against the Utes as 12PM and 3PM, with the last game of the tournament occurring the next day at 10 AM. Wisconsin is the only Power 5 school to play a non-conference opponent four times.

5. HOW TO WATCH – 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.