MADISON, Wis. – After earning two double-header wins against North Dakota State, the Wisconsin softball team (28-16, 8-8) finishes its 10-game home stand with a weekend series against Minnesota.
The first two games on Saturday and Sunday both begin at 12 p.m., and stream on Big Ten Plus. Game three on Monday begins at 6 p.m., and airs on the Big Ten Network.
1. NDSU RECAP – The Badgers took care of business against North Dakota State in their Wednesday double heading, taking both wins via the run-rule. UW supported a
Gabi Salo shutout in game one by scoring eight runs in the third and fourth innings, winning 8-0. Game two saw the Badgers hit two home runs, ultimately scoring 10 runs in the 10-2 victory. Wisconsin now has seven run-rule victories, the most in a season since 2019.
2. HAMMERIN' HUBBARD – No one was more involved in Wisconsin's scoring frenzy than senior
Ellie Hubbard. Hubbard had four at-bats between the two games, going a perfect 4-for-4 on the day. She drove in three runs in game two, knocking in one with an RBI-single, and collecting two with a big two-run home run. Wisconsin has played two non-conference double-headers at home this season. In those four games, Hubbard is 7-for-9 with two home runs and nine RBI.
3. MOLLY TAKES THE W – Pitching in game two was
Molly Jacobson, who continued her great streak of excellence on the mound. Jacobson picked up the win, pitching 4.0 innings of one-run ball, improving her record to 10-3 on the season. In her last five appearances, she has a 2.30 ERA, going a perfect 5-0 in that stretch. Jacobson and
Gabi Salo have proven to be a great duo for the Badgers, becoming the first pair of teammates to each collect 10+ wins since Kaitlyn Menz, and Halye Hestekin did so in 2019.
4. HISTORICALLY GREAT – Wisconsin's 28 wins are the team's most since 2022, largely thanks to its ability to hit the ball. UW is having one of its best offensive seasons ever, putting up historic numbers for the program. The team's current batting average of .296 is tied for the third best mark in school history, but it's the team's ability to hit for power that truly makes it stand out. Its .491 slugging percentage would be the best in program history, while the team's 74 doubles are already the second most.
5. GET TO KNOW THE GOPHERS – The Badgers welcome Minnesota into town this weekend, playing in a Saturday-Sunday-Monday series. The Gophers are 14-26 this season, with a 3-13 mark in conference play. The team most recently was swept by Oregon in a three-game series. Catcher Taylor Krapf provides the pop, with 13 home runs on the season and a .809 slugging percentage. Minnesota leads the all-time series, 32-26, with the two teams splitting their double-header last season. The Badger's win in that double-header was a 3-0 no-hitter thrown by
Tessa Magnanimo.
