MADISON, Wis. – The Wisconsin softball team (17-26, 6-11) fell in their series finale against Penn State, 10-2. The Badgers trailed after the first inning, and were unable to play catch up, striking out eight times at the plate. Penn State capped the dominant victory with a six-run sixth inning, the bulk of the scoring coming from a grand slam. The Badgers have just one home series remaining before the Big Ten Tournament begins.

How it Happened:
Tessa Magnanimo started the first two games of the series, and was on the mound again for this one. Magnanimo, who came into today with 11.0 innings pitched in the past two days, fell into trouble early, giving up a first pitch single, and then a two-run home run a couple of batters later.

The Badgers retaliated with a run of their own in the bottom of the frame. Ava Kuszak hit her third double of the series, before Emmy Wells hit her first double of the season to drive her in, making the score 2-1.

Wisconsin had a good opportunity to score again in the second inning. After Peyton Bannon and Alivia Bark reached third and second off a bunt, Skylar Sirdashney came up with just one out. The result was a botched squeeze play that resulted in the runner on third being caught stealing. Penn State recorded the final out to get out the inning unscathed.

Penn State's starter, Bridget Nemeth, settled in after that, allowing no hits to the Badgers in the next three innings. Nemeth, who struck out 11 batters in game one, struck out eight batters in a complete game. Magnanimo held things down in those innings besides a blemish in the fourth inning, where two doubles allowed for another Penn State runner to score.

Things got out of hand for Wisconsin in the sixth inning. Magnanimo allowed a solo home run to begin the inning, before allowing three straight hits which scored another. Shelby Jacobson came into relief for Magnanimo after that, who gave up a single and then a walk, before Magnanimo replaced her again after six pitches. Magnanimo, pitching with the bases loaded, gave up a grand slam after that. Penn State put up six runs in the inning, making the score 9-1. Hilary Blomberg then went in for Magnanimo and recorded the final out.

Blomberg, not satisfied with just pitching, then hit a solo home run in the bottom of the frame. Penn State would finish off their scoring in back-to-back hits, making the final score 10-2.
Tessa Magnanimo went 5.2 innings, allowing 11 hits, seven earned runs, and striking out three. Hilary Blomberg pitched the last 1.1 innings of the game allowing one earned. While Shelby Jacobson allowed two earned while not recording an out. Magnanimo was charged with the loss, now at 10-13.

Batting Cleanup

• Hilary Blomberg hit her third home run of the season, and her second in consecutive games. Blomberg went 4-for-10 in the series.
• Ava Kuszak went 1-for-3 with a double. She is 16-for-34 at home this season, and leads the team with 13 doubles.
• Peyton Bannon made a pair of great plays in the outfield. The center fielder made a great diving grab to save a run to end the fourth inning. She then threw out a runner at home in the sixth inning.

Up Next: The Badgers will not play their Tuesday home double-header against South Dakota State due to forecasted weather. The games will not be made up. Wisconsin's next series will be at Indiana against the Hoosiers. The games will be streamed on Big Ten Plus with the first taking place on Friday 6PM CT. Live tats 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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