Softball Survives Nailbiters With Northwestern
April 28, 2002 | Softball
The Wisconsin softball team swept the Northwestern Wildcats (22-16-1, 10-7) on a chilly Sunday at the Goodman Diamond to improve to 28-17 overall and 9-6 in the Big Ten. The Badgers squeaked out a 2-1 win in the nine-inning opener and completed the sweep, escaping with a 3-2 win in the second game.
Meghann Reiss was the hero in first game with a one-out single in the bottom of the ninth to score Kristin Zacher from second. Reiss, Sheena Padovan and Diana Consolmagno each finished the game with a pair of hits.
Andrea Kirchberg went the distance, striking out seven and only giving up an unearned run in the win. Lauren Schwendimann took the loss for the Wildcats.
Each offense struggled early, before Northwestern snapped a scoreless tie with a run in the top of the sixth as Wildcat shortstop Carri Leto reached on an error and later scored on a Schwendimann single to give the visitors a 1-0 lead.
In the bottom of the frame, Kerry Hagen tied the game with a sac fly to center to plate Padovan who led off the inning with a single. The game remained scoreless until Reiss smacked the game-winning single to right center.
Frosh Katie Layne took the circle for the second game, giving up a first-inning run before shutting down the Wildcats for the next five innings. Consolmagno led a strong defensive effort with seven assists to tie the school record.
After Northwestern grabbed the early lead with a run in the bottom of the first, Wisconsin rallied with three in the third. Mandy Liles and Zacher got things started with a pair of singles to lead off the inning. Wildcat starter Brie Brown retired the next two batters before issuing a walk to Nikki Starry to load the bases.
Sheena Padovan then put the Badgers on top for good with a bases-clearing double to the warning track in right center.
Northwestern threatened in the bottom of the seventh with a lead-off double to chase Layne from the game. Kirchberg entered and after a walk and sacrifice bunt, NU pulled within one on a sac fly. With two outs and runners in scoring position, Zacher 's throw to first on pinch hitter Robyn Pettinger's ground ball avoided the tying score and ended the game. Layne tallied the win and Kirchberg picked up her second save of the season.
The Badgers return to the Goodman Diamond Wednesday for a doubleheader with UW-Green Bay at 4 p.m.
