IOWA CITY, Iowa. – The Wisconsin softball team (11-16) lost their first conference game to the Iowa Hawkeyes today, 4-1. The Badgers let up three runs in the first inning and were unable to come back in their Big Ten opener. The game moved at a fast pace, with the two teams combining for just three strikeouts. The two teams are set to play games two and three of the series on Friday and Saturday.
How It Happened:
Wisconsin surrendered three hits, two of them doubles, in the first three plate appearances for Iowa in the game, plating two runners. The first out that starter
Tessa Magnanimo accrued was a sacrifice fly that made the score 3-0.
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Despite the shaky start Magnanimo went on to produce three scoreless frames but ran into trouble again in the bottom of the fifth, when three straight singles, two of them bunts, loaded the bases with nobody out. Iowa would yet again produce a run with a sac fly, before the Badgers got out of the inning.
Magnanimo would not let up another run for the game, but the damage was done. She was charged with a loss in her six innings of work, giving up eight hits and four earned runs. Her record now stands at 4-7.
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The Badgers struggled offensively throughout the game, collecting just three hits. The biggest of which came in the top of the third inning when sophomore
Emily Bojan crushed a pitch over the left field wall. It was the only run of the game for the Badgers in their 4-1 loss. Wisconsin was 0-6 with runners in scoring position.
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Despite their low total of hits, Wisconsin only struck out once in the game. This was one less than the Hawkeyes two strikeouts, as both teams put the ball in play many times. Both defenses were on their toes, with no walks between each team, and a combined 34 fly-and-ground balls for the game.
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Wisconsin played admirable defense with the number of balls put into play. They committed no errors, recorded a double play to end the fourth inning, and made a highlight 6-3 putout courtesy of
Ava Kuszak to get out of a jam in the bottom of the fifth.
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Batting Cleanup
- Emily Bojan's home run in the third inning was the first of her career. The sophomore is 5-for-15 in her last six games, with a home run and a double.
- For the first time in ten games, and the third time in their last 23 games, the Badgers did not record an error.
- The last time the Badgers lost a game while only striking out one time or less was 3/24/23 against Michigan State.
Up Next:Â The Badgers continue their series against Iowa tomorrow at 2:30 PM, and end the series Saturday at 2 PM. The games can be watched on Big Ten Plus. Live stats 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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