Courtesy of Wisconsin Athletics
MADISON, Wis. — The fall season started on a bright note for the Wisconsin softball team, which picked up a pair of wins Sunday afternoon in a doubleheader against Green Bay.
The Badgers began their day by defeating Phoenix in game one, 9-0, and then followed up with a 9-1 win in the second game.
In the first game, freshman Mariah Watts made her first appearance for the Badgers with a stellar performance in the circle. Among the team’s six newcomers, four saw playing time in their debut at Goodman Softball Complex.
Things picked up right away for the Badgers in the first inning when freshman Kelsey Jenkins slapped a single to left field. Following that, Ashley Van Zeeland knocked a line drive that fell just short of the center fielder.
Chloe Miller set up for a bunt and a double steal for the Badgers that led to two runners scoring. The Badgers ended the inning with two runs on four hits and one error.
In the second, Miller’s double to the wall sent two runners home. Sara Novak’s single pushed Miller home and she advanced to second on the throw. Marissa Mersch slammed in a double to pull the Badgers ahead, 6-0.
Sara Novak stepped up to the plate with the bases loaded in the bottom of the sixth and brought in Megan Tancill. Mersch ended the game with a single to score the remaining two runners on base to seal UW’s 9-0 victory.
Nyah Rodman took the mound for the Badgers in the second game, striking out two in the first inning.
Once again, the Badgers got off to a fast start, this time in the bottom of the first inning. Jenkins led off for the Badgers and reached base on an error by the shortstop, followed by Van Abel laying down a bunt.
With two runners on base, Novak nailed in a single that brought Jenkins home and moved Van Abel to third. Freshman Brianna Flugaur came in to pinch run for Novak and immediately stole second. Mersch grounded to first and the fielder’s choice allowed her to pick up an RBI.
UW pulled out three more runs in the bottom of the third.
Novak’s double at the end of the second game to score Jenkins clinched the victory for the Badgers, 8-1.
