MADISON, Wis. – The Wisconsin softball team (12-20, 1-5) lost their final game of their home opening series, falling 5-4 in a Nebraska sweep. The game went to 9 innings, with the Badgers having the lead in the seventh. Wisconsin out hit Nebraska for the game 10-9, but couldn't drive in the tying run in the bottom of the ninth.
How It Happened:
Scoring opened up the same way it did in the previous game, with Nebraska opening with two runs in the top of the first, before Wisconsin knotted it up in the bottom of the second.
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A walk and a single got the Huskers on base, before starter
Gabi Salo made a throwing error that allowed two runners to score. For Wisconsin, it was
Alivia Bark who singled in
Peyton Bannon after hitting a triple. The badgers then loaded the bases, scoring on a walk, but were unable to bring home any more base runners.
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Nebraska scored quickly off starter
Tessa Magnanimo in the first inning, collecting three hits with an RBI double and single accounting for two runs in the inning. Wisconsin bounced back in the bottom of the second, when a lead-off double from
Hilary Blomberg that turned into a
Ellie Hubbard RBI fielder's choice.
Peyton Bannon then hit her first triple of the season to tie the game up at two apiece.
Tessa Magnanimo came into the game in the top of third, letting up a lead off double, and then a single, giving Nebraska a 3-2 lead.
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Two solo home runs would then put the Badgers up 4-3, after six innings. It was
Ava Kuszak who led off the fifth inning with her fourth home run of the season. Then it was Bannon's turn in the sixth, starting the inning off with the go-ahead long ball, her second of the year.
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Nebraska, in their last inning, Billie Andrews hit a leadoff triple with the ball popping out of
Kate Linkletter's outstretched glove as she landed.  The Huskers tied the game in the next at-bat with a sac-fly. The game went to extra innings, after the Badgers failed to score in the seventh.
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Nebraska threatened in the eighth inning after a two-out double put a runner in scoring position. The next batter smoked the ball to center field, but
Peyton Bannon played hero, snagging the ball over her head while running towards the outfield wall.
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Wisconsin was unable to capitalize on the play though, as Nebraska doubled to score a runner in the ninth inning, ultimately coming up on top 5-4.
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Wisconsin out-hit Nebraska for the third straight game, collecting 34 hits over the three games. The Badgers left 10 runners on base.
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Tessa Magnanimo worked seven innings in relief, giving up three earned runs, and striking out five. She ultimately took the loss and is now 5-9 on the season.
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Gabi Salo exited after starting 2.0 innings, giving up two runs, one earned.
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Batting Cleanup
- Peyton Bannon went 2-for-4 with a home run and a triple. Her triple was the 12th of her career, two away from the program record of 14.
- Ava Kuszak hit her fourth home run of the year. The sophomore is currently on a seven-game hit streak.
- This was the third game to go to extra innings for the Badgers. They are 0-3 so far in those games.
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Up Next:Â The Badgers play in-state opponent Green Bay in a Tuesday double-header at 3 PM. The game 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 page. Wisconsin Softball is played at Goodman Diamond. All tickets are general admission and sold at the event only. There are no advanced single game sales. Tickets go on-sale starting one hour prior to the event and are available at the ticket booth located right outside the entrance. Ticket prices are $5 for adults, and $2 for youth (2-17), UW students, and seniors (55+).
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