MADISON, Wis. – The Wisconsin softball team (9-6) begins its fourth tournament of the season on Friday, where the team will head to Conway, South Carolina for the Chanticleer Showdown.
The tournament is hosted by Coastal Carolina, who Wisconsin will take on twice during the weekend. The Badgers begin the five game tournament with a contest against UConn on Friday at 10 a.m. (CT).
Here's what you need to know before the Showdown.
1. SOUTH FLORIDA SHOWDOWN RECAP – The Badgers finished the South Florida Showdown with a 3-2 record, producing some big wins in the process. The first day saw a double header sweep of Louisville, 4-1, and USF in a dominant 12-4 six inning win. UW's other win in the tournament was another run-rule victory, a five-inning, 8-0 win over Kent State. Wisconsin's losses came against Troy, 6-2, and a rematch against Louisville, 5-1.Â
2. RECORD BREAKERS – The bats were alive in two of Wisconsin's victories, not only winning via the run-rule in each one, but setting records in the process. The Badgers smoked eight doubles in their 12-4 victory over USF, the program's most ever in a single game. Freshman
Kendra Lewis became just the third Badger to hit three doubles in a game, not only going 3-for-3, but earning the win on the mound in the process. In the 8-0 win against Kent State, it was all about the stolen bases. The Badgers collected their second most steals in a game with eight, including six in one inning. Three players stole multiple bases, the first time that's happened since at least 2014.
Â
3. BIG FAN OF BOJAN – One of the standout hitters for Wisconsin during the tournament was junior
Emily Bojan. Bojan went 4-for-11 over the weekend. Three of her four hits were doubles, and she walked four times to just one strikeout. She drove in two Wisconsin runs against Louisville, walked three times against USF, and was one of the three Badgers that stole multiple bases against Kent State.
4. NOT TOO SHABBY, GABI – On the other side,
Gabi Salo dominated on the pitchers mound. Salo appeared in four of the five games, allowing just one earned run in 13.1 innings. The grads versatility has been extremely valuable this season, tossing innings as both a starter and a reliever. She pitched the first four innings in a shutout against Kent State, and then pitched 5.1 relief innings in the very next game. Salo has a .95 ERA in 36.2 innings pitched this season, with a .90 WHIP, and a strike-to-walk ratio of 27-to-3.Â
5. CHANTICLEER SHOWDOWN  – The penultimate non-conference tournament of the season, the Badgers move north of Florida to Conway, South Carolina - the home of Coastal Carolina. Here, Wisconsin will take part in the Chanticleer Showdown, playing from February 28 to March 2. The Badgers first take on Connecticut (10 a.m.) and Coastal Carolina (3 p.m.) on Friday. The next day is a double-header against Bowling Green (9 a.m.) and Coastal Carolina (2:30 p.m.). The final game is another rematch, this time against Bowling Green at 9 a.m.
