Badgers Win Two Over In-State Foes
September 27, 2003 | Softball
The Wisconsin softball team continued its fall season Saturday, posting a pair of wins over in-state foes at Goodman Diamond. The Badgers snuck past UW-Parkside 1-0 before downing UW-Green Bay 5-1.
UW was outhit 4-3 in its opening game, but managed to tally the game 's only run in the bottom of the sixth inning. After the Rangers left the bases loaded in the top half of the inning, Kristin Zacher led off the Badgers' half of the inning with a walk and moved up to second on a sacrifice bunt by Athena Vasquez. Emily Friedman's basehit gave UW runners at the corners with one away. Following a popout by Meghann Reiss, Anastasia Miller's linedrive up the middle was ruled to have been trapped by Parkside centerfielder Kim Dean. Zacher came home to score, giving the Badgers all the offensive production they would need.
Sara Gonzales, who struck out seven while walking only one, worked around a leadoff single in the top of the seventh to pick up the complete-game shutout win in the pitcher's circle. Miller led the Wisconsin offense with two hits.
UW-Green Bay struck first in its matchup with the Badgers in the nightcap. Michelle Kaminski's solo home run in the top of the first off UW starter Katie Layne gave the Phoenix a 1-0 lead.
But that would be all the offense that UWGB would mount as it had just one baserunner reach second base over the final six innings of play.
The Badgers scored all five of their runs in the third inning behind three hits and two Phoenix errors. With the bases loaded and one out, Miller continued her hot day by hitting a two-run single to center. Sheena Padovan's walk reloaded the bases and Diana Consolmagno followed with an RBI single. Wisconsin capped the outburst with a pair of unearned runs when UWGB pitcher Stephanie Hansen fielded a comebacker, but her flip home for the forceout was thrown away, allowing both Miller and Padovan to score.
Layne picked up the win, allowing three hits while striking out five over four innings of work. Freshman Eden Brock picked up the save, surrendering just one hit while striking out four in three innings of work. Zacher paced the Badger offense with two hits.
The Badgers will wrap up their fall season at noon on Saturday, Oct. 4 when they host a doubleheader against Winona State.
