Emmy Wells barrels a softball in a game against Illinois
Ashley Steltenpohl
15
Winner Wisconsin WIS 17-8, 1-0 B1G
4
Illinois ILL 12-10, 0-1 B1G
Winner
Wisconsin WIS
17-8, 1-0 B1G
15
Final
4
Illinois ILL
12-10, 0-1 B1G
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 3 4 5 R H E
Wisconsin WIS 1 1 4 5 4 15 15 1
Illinois ILL 2 2 0 0 0 4 6 2

W: Salo , Gabi (9-3) L: Frazier, Danika (0-2)

Game Recap: Softball | | Maddox Durst

Badgers power past Fighting Illini in series opener

Five home runs leads Wisconsin to run-rule victory

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. - The Wisconsin softball team (17-8) scored 15 runs on 15 hits en route to a run-rule victory over Illinois in its first game of conference action—finishing with seven extra base hits by the game's conclusion. 

In the first inning, Brooke Kuffel clutched up with two outs with an RBI single up the middle to put the Badgers up early after Molly Schlosser smacked a double to set the table. 

The Fighting Illini provided a quick response with two runs in the bottom of the first, but Hannah Conger was able to tie the game up with an RBI single to drive in Danielle Lucey—tying the game at 2-2. 

After Illinois added two more in the second, the Badgers went on to post 13 unanswered runs combined in the next three frames of action, tallying five home runs in the process. 

Lucey and Kendra Lewis both smashed a three-run home run to account for six of those runs. Emmy Wells and Hilary Blomberg were each responsible for a solo shot as well—guiding Wisconsin to an 11-4 lead after four innings of play. 

Kuffel put the finishing touches on a stellar day at the plate, as she barreled a grand slam to deep left field to clear the bases and put the Badgers up 15-4 in the fifth inning. At the plate, the Crystal Lake, Illinois native was 3-of-3 with a home run, two runs scored and five RBI.  

Alivia Bark was the second Badger with a trio of hits, including a double in the fifth inning.

Gabi Salo (9-3) settled in nicely for Wisconsin in the circle, earning the win after her four innings of work. Shelby Jacobson closed the final frame by only allowing one runner to reach base. 

Batting Cleanup
  • Wisconsin scored 15 or more runs for the first time since they had 17 against Penn State on April 20, 2024.
  • The Badgers recorded 15 or more hits for the first time since they accumulated 18 against Memphis on March 14, 2015.
  • Wisconsin's five home runs in one game is tied for the second-most in program history, as they last hit five against North Dakota on April 9, 2014.
  • Today's game marked Wisconsin's highest run total of the season, surpassing the 12 they plated in a win over South Florida on February 21. 
  • The last time the Badgers attained 14 RBIs in a game was against Illinois on March 22, 2019.
  • Kendra Lewis hit her first-ever collegiate home run, accounting for her fifth extra base hit of the season.
  • Brooke Kuffel and Alivia Bark marked the sixth and seventh Badger to have collected three hits in one game this season.

Up Next:

The Badgers are back in action tomorrow afternoon, as they will look to win the series against Illinois. First pitch is set for 1:00 p.m. CT and will be streamed on Big Ten Plus.
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