April 29, 2010
Box Score 
SOUTH BEND, Ind. – Jennifer Krueger and Molly Spence combined to go 5-for-6 with two RBI and two runs scored, but the rest of the team was 0-for-13 as the Wisconsin softball team lost in five innings to No. 25 Notre Dame, 11-3, on Thursday afternoon at Melissa Cook Stadium.
Krueger tied her career high in hits as she went 3-for-3, adding two runs scored and two stolen bases.
Spence had a 2-for-3 day with two RBI. She now has 33 RBI on the year, setting a freshman record at Wisconsin. The old mark was held by Ricci Robben who had 31 in 2005.
The Irish struck first, taking a 2-0 lead after the first inning.
Saide Pitzenberger laced a one-out double to left center field, and two batters later, the Irish had the lead thanks to a two-run home run off the scoreboard in left field by Christine Lux.
Notre Dame broke the game open with a six-run second inning.
A bases loaded single by Pitzenberger made it 3-0, while Heather Johnson followed with a walk to bring in the fourth run and chase UW starter Meghan Mcintosh from the game. Senior Letty Olivarez came on in relief but was greeted rudely by Lux who took the first pitch and hit a grand slam to left field for her second homer of the game.
The Badgers got their first run in the top of the fourth.
Krueger led off with her second single of the game, and then stole second base. Spence stepped in and missed a home run by inches, hitting the top of the wall in left field. The play went for a double though as Krueger came home to score.
Notre Dame answered with two more runs in the bottom of the inning before UW added two runs of its own in the top of the fifth.
Freshman Abby Gregory, who made her first career start in the game, walked to lead off the frame. After a groundout by senior Katie Soderberg moved Gregory to second base, Krueger singled to the pitcher to put runners on the corners. Spence then singled to right field to drive in Gregory. A walk to freshman Shannel Blackshear loaded the bases with one out, but the Badgers added just one more run as freshman Whitney Massey hit a sacrifice fly to center field to plate Krueger.
The Fighting Irish needed just one run to end the game via the run rule in the fifth inning and got it on an RBI double to right field by Lux.
The Badgers are back home this weekend to take on Indiana in a two-game series. Saturday’s game is set for a 6:05 p.m. first pitch, while Sunday begins at 1:05 p.m. Both games can be seen live on the Big Ten Network.
