Kendra Lewis rounds the bases in Illinois
Ashley Steltenpohl
6
Wisconsin WIS 17-9, 1-1 B1G
9
Winner Illinois ILL 13-10, 1-1 B1G
Wisconsin WIS
17-9, 1-1 B1G
6
Final
9
Illinois ILL
13-10, 1-1 B1G
Winner
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 R H E
Wisconsin WIS 1 0 0 0 2 2 1 6 7 2
Illinois ILL 0 0 4 5 0 0 X 9 16 3

W: Wiles, Lauren (6-3) L: Jacobson, Molly (4-2)

8
Winner Wisconsin WIS 18-9, 2-1 B1G
6
Illinois ILL 13-11, 1-2 B1G
Winner
Wisconsin WIS
18-9, 2-1 B1G
8
Final
6
Illinois ILL
13-11, 1-2 B1G
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 R H E
Wisconsin WIS 3 1 0 1 0 3 0 8 12 2
Illinois ILL 0 2 1 0 2 0 1 6 9 2

W: Salo , Gabi (10-3) L: Nuechterlein, Megan (2-3)

Game Recap: Softball | | Maddox Durst

Badgers split doubleheader against Fighting Illini, win series

Lewis, Salo guide UW to game three victory

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. - The Wisconsin softball team took home a series victory against Illinois to kick off conference play, powered by six extra base hits and a complete game from Gabi Salo in game three to earn an 8-6 victory. 

GAME ONE

The Badgers' offense got off on the right foot for the second day in a row, as Kendra Lewis barreled a base hit up the middle to drive in a run and give UW the early 1-0 advantage. 

Illinois would go on to tally four runs in the third inning, and five more in the fourth inning to build a 9-1 lead. 

Wisconsin worked their way back with the help of solo home runs from Emily Bojan, Emmy Wells and Lewis. Wells and Lewis each earned their second long ball in as many days.

Lewis found her rhythm in the circle as well, marking her first conference innings of her career. The freshman tossed 2.1 scoreless frames for the Badgers—striking out two batters in the process. 

Unfortunately for Wisconsin, it was not enough, as the Fighting Illini went on to win 9-6 and take game two of the series. 

Batting Cleanup
  • Kendra Lewis finished the day 2-of-4 at the plate with a pair of RBIs, the lone Badger with multiple hits. 
  • Emmy Wells tallied her fourth home run of the year, which is tied for the most on the team with Hilary Blomberg and Danielle Lucey.
  • The Badgers finished with three home runs and combined for eight in the first two games of the series

GAME TWO

Wisconsin (18-9, 2-1) once again took an early lead, as Alivia Bark set the table for Molly Schlosser, where the Oconomowoc native blasted a two-run home run to put the Badgers on top in the first inning. Lewis continued her stellar day at the plate with an RBI single to right field to give Wisconsin the 3-0 advantage after one inning of play. 

Schlosser was back at it in the next inning, as the senior laced a double to the wall to extend the lead for the Badgers at 4-0. 

Illinois provided a response and was able to tie the game up at 5-5 by the conclusion of the fifth inning. In that time, Brooke Kuffel earned an RBI double for Wisconsin. 

The Badgers were able to create some separation in the sixth inning, as they put up three runs with the help of the long ball once again. 

Bark got things started with a solo shot, and was followed up by a two-run home run turned in by Lewis to give UW an 8-5 advantage. Lewis finished the series with three home runs in three games in her first action in the Big Ten. 

Gabi Salo (10-3) earned her 10th win of the season in her sixth complete game of the year—notching her second victory in conference play. The Escanaba, Michigan native finished with three strikeouts and zero walks. 

After Illinois threatened in the final frame, Salo and the Badgers shut down a rally to win 8-6 and take home a series victory. 

Batting Cleanup:
  • The Badgers hit a combined 11 home runs in three games against the Fighting Illini on the offensive end. 
  • Gabi Salo leads the pitching staff in wins (10) and complete games (6) this season. 
  • Molly Schlosser marks the eighth Badger to finish with three hits in one game this year.
  • Kendra Lewis finished Saturday with a combined line of 4-of-7, two home runs and five RBI to power the Badgers to a series victory. 
  • Alivia Bark, Brooke Kuffel and Hilary Blomberg all provided two hits in game three. 

Up Next:

The Badgers are back on the road, this time heading to Oklahoma City, Oklahoma to battle against Purdue and Michigan. Wisconsin will take on the Boilermakers on both Thursday, March 20 and Friday, March 21, while facing off against the Wolverines on Saturday, March 22 and Sunday, March 23. All games will take place at Devon Park.
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