MADISON, Wis. – The Wisconsin softball team (19-12, 3-4) hosts their first home series later this week, taking on the Iowa Hawkeyes at Goodman Diamond in Madison.
Wisconsin first plays Iowa in a double-header on Friday, with game times set for 4:00 p.m. and 6:30 p.m.. The series then concludes on Saturday with a 12 p.m. game.
1. DEVON PARK RECAP – Last week, the Badgers traveled to Oklahoma City, the home of Devon Park, where the team played two games each against both Purdue and Michigan. Wisconsin took one of the four matchups, splitting the pair of games with the Boilermakers, and falling in both games to the Wolverines. Wisconsin's victory was offensively fueled, winning 8-4. The fifth inning of that game saw the Badgers score seven runs - the most in an inning this season for UW.
2. LEWIS STAYS HOT  – Before taking on Purdue and Michigan, the Badgers faced Illinois, where freshman
Kendra Lewis went 6-for-11 over three games to earn Big Ten Freshman of the Week. Lewis didn't stop there though, over four games at Devon Park, she went 6-for-11 again to raise her season average to .438. Lewis is riding a ten-game hitting streak, where she is 14-for-31 with three home runs and 11 RBI.
3. HOMEWARD BOUND – For the first time this season, Wisconsin will host a home softball series, taking on Iowa at Goodman Diamond. With the first game set for March 28, Wisconsin has gone seven weeks without hosting a game. All other teams in the Big Ten have hosted at least one home game already. The Badgers have won four of their last six home openers.
4. EYES ON IOWA – Wisconsin's opponent will be the Iowa Hawkeyes, who are 21-9 to start the season. The Hawkeyes are winners of their last three games, including a 7-4 victory over No. 5 UCLA. Iowa's pitching has found success by avoiding the long ball, giving up the fourth fewest home runs in the conference. Pitcher Jalen Adams is a huge part of that, with a 15-3 record and a 1.92 ERA in 102.1 innings pitched. Iowa leads the all-time series with the Badgers, 42-35, taking two of last season's three matchups.
5. HILARY VS THE HAWKEYES  – One of the main contributors against the Hawkeyes last season was
Hilary Blomberg. Blomberg went 3-for-9 against Iowa with three RBI and a double. Blomberg comes into the meeting with the Hawkeyes hot as well. The sophomore hit two home runs during the Devon Park games, and has hits in her eight of her last nine games.
