April 20, 2010
Box Score
MADISON, Wis. - The Wisconsin softball team rallied to force extra innings, but Northern Illinois came away with a 5-4, eight inning victory in game one of a doubleheader on Tuesday afternoon at Goodman Diamond.
Junior Ashley Hanewich set a career high with three hits, while driving in two runs. Senior Letty Olivarez threw all eight innings, giving up zero earned runs.
In the top of the eighth, Zoe Sinner started the inning at second base and moved to third on a sacrifice bunt. A double to right field by Michelle Williams brought in Sinner to make it 5-4, NIU.
Abby Gregory started for UW on second base in the bottom of the eighth, pinch running for freshman Shannel Blackshear. A sacrifice bunt by sophomore Karla Powell moved Gregory to third, but Gregory was then thrown out at home on a chopper hit to second base. Olivarez then grounded out to shortstop to end the game.
Northern Illinois took advantage of a pair of Wisconsin errors to take a 4-0 lead in the top of the second inning. All four runs were unearned.
Sinner reached on an error by shortstop Blackshear and then moved to third as Jennifer Barnett singled and moved to second on a throwing error by third baseman Molly Spence. An RBI single by Williams brought in Sinner.
After a strike out, Alex Wulbecker singled to load the bases. The big blow came two batters later as Amanda Sheppard doubled to clear the bases and make it 4-0.
The Badgers cut the lead in half in their portion of the inning, scoring two runs in the bottom of the second.
Blackshear led things off with a bloop single to right field. Powell then followed with a double to left field. The Badgers were in danger of stranding the runners after two quick outs, but junior Ashley Hanewich tripled to left field on an 0-2 count to make it 4-2, Huskies.
A great defensive play in the third inning saved a run for UW.
With runners on first and second with one out, Michelle Williams singled to right field. Hanewich tried to get Sinner at third on the play, but the ball sailed over Molly Spence's head at third base. Spence recovered though and threw home as freshman Maggie Strange applied the tag to get the out.
The Badgers tied things up in the bottom of the fifth on a clutch hit by Blackshear.
Hanewich led things off with a single off the pitcher and senior Katie Soderberg followed with a single through the left side. After a fielder's choice forced Hanewich out at third, pinch hitter Kristyn Hansen drew a walk to load the bases. Spence struck out, but Blackshear came through with a single up the middle to tie the game at 4-4.
