Around the Horn: Badgers back in action at UMBC Invite

Friday, March 15

Baltimore, MD

12:30 PM

Wisconsin Badgers

UAlbany

Softball celebrates Emmy Wells Home Run against Utah 3.02.24

Photo by: Ashley Steltenpohl

Around the Horn: Badgers back in action at UMBC Invite

March 12, 2024 | Softball

UW plays five games against Albany, UMBC, and Colgate

By: Jake Ross

Venue	The Diamond at UMBC \| Baltimore, MD
Live Stats	UMBC \| UAlbany \| Colgate
Game Notes	Wisconsin
Social Media	Twitter \| Facebook \| Instagram

MADISON, Wis. – After a week off from competition, the Wisconsin softball team (9-12) will play their last tournament, the UMBC Spring Invite, before conference play begins. The Badgers look to bounce back with games against UAlbany, UMBC, and Colgate.

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

1. GOIN' YARD – Despite notching just one win in their last tournament, the Badgers created a steady production of home runs. They hit at least one home run per game during the tournament, with a total of six in the five games played. Ava Kuszak and Emmy Wells both went yard twice, with Wells now leading the team with six home runs. Peyton Bannon added another in a game against Utah, while Eden Dempsey hit her first career home run in the final game of the tournament, one-of-two hits she had on the day.

2. ASTONISHING AVA – Ava Kuszak's two home runs were just one part of her current hot streak. Over her last ten games, Kuszak has three doubles, three home runs, and boasts a slash line of .366/.424/.767. The second baseman from Colorado accumulated just 37 at-bats last season, but has broken out in her sophomore year, leading the team in OPS at 1.013

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3. ANOTHER HIT FOR HILARY – Another Badger underclassman on a hot streak, Hilary Blomberg collected a hit in every game of the Utah Tech Invitational. This extends her hitting streak to nine games. Since Wisconsin's game against Kentucky, Blomberg has not missed a single game, collecting hits in 13-of-15 games. Blomberg is chasing records, her .395 average would be the best by a freshman in program history, and her hitting streak is in distance of Julie Borchard's freshman hitting streak record of 14.

4. UMBC SPRING INVITE – Wisconsin's final regular season tournament takes place in Maryland, at the Diamond at UMBC. The games start on Friday, March. 15 in a double-header against Albany at 11:30 AM CT, and UMBC right after at 2 PM CT. Saturday is the second double-header, a 9 AM game against Colgate followed by a rematch against Albany at 11:30 AM. Sunday caps off the tournament with another game against UMBC at 9 AM. Wisconsin sports a 2-0 all-time record against UAlbany, and has never played

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.