Courtesy of Wisconsin Athletics
MADISON, Wis. – Wisconsin relied on timely scoring and multi-run innings, as it swept Kirkwood Community College, 6-1 and 7-6, Sunday afternoon at Goodman Diamond.
The Badgers got on the board early but not often in Game 1, as they plated five in the first inning and just one more in the fifth.
Ashley Van Zeeland got things rolling for UW in the first inning, doubling to center and subsequently swiping third base. Chloe Miller then followed with a single to give Wisconsin a lead it would not relinquish.
After stealing second and advancing to third on a fly out, speedy pinch runner Brianna Flugaur came around to score on Marissa Mersch’s triple down the right field line.
Maria Van Abel reached on an infield single and stole second, bringing up Sam Arents, who added two more in the run column with an RBI single.
UW picked up its final run of the inning thanks to a double off the left field wall by Katie Christner.
Kirkwood responded in the second with its lone run of the game, while Van Abel scored the Badgers’ sixth and final run on a wild pitch in the fifth inning.
Despite allowing double-digit hits, Mariah Watts dealt an impressive game in the pitcher’s circle. The freshman struck out two and stranded 10 Kirkwood runners, including a bases loaded opportunity for the Eagles in the top of the seventh.
Wisconsin wasted no time scoring in Game 2, as well.
With two outs and a runner on third in the first inning, Chloe Miller blasted a two-run homerun over the right-center field wall to put her team on top.
The Eagles didn’t surrender easily, though.
Chasney Jenkins singled to start the third inning and Erin Weno walked with one out to put runners on first and third, bringing Tara Walls to the plate. The cleanup hitter homered to left field, giving Kirkwood a 3-2 lead.
But that wouldn’t last for long.
Nyah Rodman regained the lead for UW in the bottom of the inning with an opposite-field double to deep left, which brought home pinch runner Flugaur and Miller.
Wisconsin padded its lead in the fifth inning, as Kelsey Jenkins led off with a double to the left field fence and advanced to third on a passed ball. Miller walked and Rodman reached on a bunt single to load the bases. Mersch then sent a deep fly ball to right field, easily bringing Jenkins home.
Kirkwood threatened in the sixth inning, loading the bases with no outs.
Walls walked, followed by back-to-back bunt singles before Alicia Crivaro picked up an RBI base hit. Pinch hitter Natalie Clark contributed with a two-out, two-run double to give Kirkwood a 6-5 lead.
Once again Wisconsin took back the lead—this time with the game on the line.
With one out and Megan Tancill on first in the bottom of the sixth, Van Abel bunted safely, forcing a poor throw by the third baseman, which traveled into right field. Tancill bolted around to tie the game, which was shortly followed by the game-winning RBI single by Jenkins.
Annie Davis pitched the first three frames for Wisconsin, allowing three runs, three hits and striking out seven.
Sarah Fonk finished the game out, giving up three runs on four hits in four innings of work.
The Badgers improved their stolen base total to 23-for-26, as they snagged nine bases during the doubleheader.
Wisconsin will finish out its fall schedule with a two-game series at home against UW-Parkside on Oct. 12.
