MADISON, Wis. - The Wisconsin softball team (30-18, 10-10) fell to Northwestern this Friday, losing 11-3 in the first game of the series.

The Wildcats scored in every inning of the run-rule victory, jumping out to a 9-0 lead after the first three innings.

Northwestern put pressure on the Wisconsin defense by putting multiple balls in play - striking out just three times while racking up 14 hits. The Badgers struggled in the field, recording five errors and coming up with only three ground-ball outs.

The Badger's offense was highlighted by a big swing from Hilary Blomberg, who's two-run home run in the top of the fifth inning landed on top of the adjacent building in left field.

Pinch-hitting, Eden Dempsey provided the first RBI for Wisconsin, sending in Brooke Kuffel on a grounder during the fourth.

Leading 10-3 in the bottom of the fifth, the Wildcats enacted the run-rule after hitting back-to-back doubles, ending the game at 11-3.

Starter Gabi Salo (13-10)  took the loss, with only three of her five runs allowed being earned. Freshmen Jordan Felci and Mattie Beliveau each made relief appearances.

Batting Cleanup

• Hilary Blomberg went 2-for-3 with a two-run home run. This was the eighth home run for Blomberg in conference play, tying Kayla Konwent (2022) for the most by a Badger in a single season. Blomberg also tallied her 100th career hit - matching last season's hit total (50).
• Blomberg is now the 10th Badger to hit 11 home runs in a single season.
• Kendra Lewis went 1-for-3, extending her hit streak to 11 games. This matches her career-best 11-game hit streak from earlier in the season.
• Emily Bojan went 2-for-2 with a double, her fourth multi-hit game of the season.

Up Next:

The Badgers look to get their first win of the series tomorrow at 2 p.m. (CT). The game streams on Big Ten Plus.