MADISON, Wis. – After wrapping up their non-conference tournament schedule, the Wisconsin softball team (16-8) begins conference play this Friday with a series at Illinois.
The games take place on Friday (3Â p.m.), Saturday (1 p.m.), and Sunday (12 p.m.) at Eichelberger Field in Urbana, Illinois.
Here's what you need to know before the series.
1. SALUKI INVITATIONAL RECAP – The Badgers enjoyed a successful stint at the Saluki Invitational in Carbondale, Illinois, winning three of their four games. The team won its first three games of the weekend, taking down Northern Illinois twice, 6-4 and 5-2, as well as Southern Illinois, 2-1. The one blemish came during the second game against Southern Illinois, where Wisconsin fell, 7-3.
2. WALK OFF BLOM-BOMB – The most memorable win during the invitational game in the second game against Northern Illinois, with sophomore
Hilary Blomberg hitting a three-run walk off home run to power the Badgers to victory. It was the second walk-off of the season for Wisconsin, and the school's first walk-off home run since the 2019 NCAA Tournament. Blomberg's home run capped off a 4-for-4 performance at the plate. She's beginning to heat up for Wisconsin, going 11-for-27 with three home runs in her last eight games.
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3. SENSATIONAL SALO – Graduate student
Gabi Salo continues to put together an incredible season for the Badgers, dominating in two performances during the Saluki Classic. Salo pitched two complete games, giving up just one earned run in each of them, and collected the victory in both starts. The right-hander has five complete games in eight starts this season. Salo is beginning to stand out among Big Ten pitchers. Her 1.20 ERA ranks third in the conference, her five complete games are fifth, and she leads all Big Ten pitchers in walks per seven innings at a staggering 0.7.
4. ILLINI INSIGHT – Wisconsin's first conference series takes place against the Illinois Fighting Illini. The two teams last played in 2023, where Wisconsin won two-of-three games to win the regular season series, but fell to the Illini in the first round of the Big Ten Tournament. Illinois leads in the all-time series, 34-23, but the series is tied up 19-19 since
Yvette Healy took up coaching duties for UW in 2010. This season's series will be held in Urbana, where the Illini hold a 19-11 all-time edge.
5.  BROOKE'S BIG BAT – Senior
Brooke Kuffel is keeping up her reputation as one of the best power bats in the Badger lineup, hitting her 18th career home run in UW's last outing. Kuffel not only ranks in the top four Badgers in most offensive categories, but she also has seen success against Illinois in her career. In the four games that Illinois and Wisconsin played together in 2023, Kuffel went 5-for-11 with two home runs and seven RBI.
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