Brock, Polito Lead Wisconsin Over UW-Green Bay
October 08, 2005 | Softball
After seven and one-half scoreless innings, the Wisconsin softball team finally came through with a run in the bottom of the eighth to defeat UW-Green Bay, 1-0 Saturday evening at the Goodman Softball Complex. Junior Sam Polito recorded the game-winning RBI while junior Eden Brock earned the complete-game shutout.
"I thought we did great," Wisconsin head coach Chandelle Schulte said. "Wisconsin-Green Bay is a very good softball team, and I think it was a test for us, and I think we handled the pressure well. We made mistakes, but we didn't buckle to them. We had different kids step up, and, for the fall, I think they did a terriffic job."
Pitching controlled the game's tempo as Brock held the Phoenix to just two hits all night and allowed only one walk while striking out five. The Badgers totaled four hits in the contest, drawing three free passes, but also fanned ten times at the dish.
"I am especially pleased with our pitching staff," Schulte said. "I think they did a great job."
Wisconsin got its chance in the eighth inning when, due to the International Tiebreaker, freshman Theresa Boruta started the frame on second base. Freshman Valyncia Raphael dropped down a perfectly executed bunt to Green Bay pitcher Lisa Meissner whose throw was not in time to get Boruta at third. With no outs and a chance to grab a win, Polito came through with a line drive to the gap in left center to end the game in Wisconsin's favor.
Polito finished the game 2-for-4 and also posted a two hits and five RBI in Wisconsin's 12-0 win over UW-Parkside earlier in the day.
Green Bay threatened in the fifth, putting runners on first and second with one out, but the Badgers worked out of the jam with the help of some spectacular defense. Polito again came through in the clutch, gunning down Jenna Wuepse at the plate with a strike from shallow center field to quiet the Phoenix threat.
"It was different things that helped us get the win," Schulte said. "I think it took nine players to accomplish it, and they all came through."
In earlier softball action, junior Megan Smith got the win in Wisconsin's 12-0 rout over UW-Parkside with four innings of three-hit, shutout ball, and UW-Green Bay blanked UW-Parkside in game two of the round robin, 5-0.
The round robin was Wisconsin's only competition of the fall, and the Badgers return to the diamond Feb. 10-12 when they travel to Tempe, Ariz. for the Arizona State Fiesta Bowl.
