Softball Takes Two More at NIC
September 21, 2002 | Softball
The Wisconsin softball team improved to 4-0 at the National Invitational Championship in Moline, Ill., Saturday with wins over Drake and Illinois Central. For the second-straight day, the Badgers had to battle for a win, but also run-ruled an opponent.
The Badgers faced Drake in the first game of the day and needed extra innings to knock off the Bulldogs, 4-1, to win Pool C. The Badgers had many opportunities, but failed to capitalize, stranding 14 runners. UW loaded the bases in the first and third innings and put runners on the corners with two outs in the fifth, but the game remained scoreless through seven innings.
In the top of the eight inning, Sheena Padovan scored from second on a two-out Erin Barnharst single to shallow right field. Drake responded in its half of the eight, when Kara Deshaw slapped an infield grounder and pinch runner Jeni Grochala scored on an errant throw to first base.
The Badgers came right back with one out in the top of the ninth. Kris Zacher walked and Meghann Reiss blasted a double to the wall. With runners in scoring position, Boo Gillette knocked in Zacher with a hit down the left field line. Padovan added an insurance run with a single to right center field, scoring Reiss. With two outs, Barnharst added her second RBI of the game, scoring Gillette.
Kirchberg sat down three batters in the bottom of the inning for the win. The senior pitcher threw 12 strikeouts, giving up only three hits in nine innings of work.
With Pool C clinched, the Badgers faced Illinois Central College in the day's second game. Wisconsin jumped on the Cougars early, scoring Mandy Liles on a Gillette single in the first inning.
UW put up four runs in the second inning with two outs on the board. Bucky loaded the bases for Zacher and the sophomore shortstop delivered, hitting a two-run single up the middle. Reiss followed with a hit that followed the same path up the middle to score two more. After frosh Emily Friedman tallied a RBI in the third with a double, Padovan launched a two-run home run in the fourth inning to give the Badgers eight, enough for the run-rule.
Sophomore Katie Layne pitched four innings versus ICC, while rookie Sara Gonzales threw the final inning, striking out one.
Earning the No. 1 seed in Pool C, the Badgers received a bye in the opening round of the single-elimination tournament. UW faces Notre Dame tomorrow in the quarterfinals of the NIC at 10 a.m. For more information on the NIC, log on to www.wiu.edu/athletics/SOFTBALL/NIC/NIChome2002.html
