CEDAR FALLS, Iowa – The first inning was all the Wisconsin softball team needed to start the 2017 season out on a good note, scoring one run in the top of the first to secure a 1-0 victory over Northern Iowa in the season opener.

Freshman pitcher Kaitlyn Menz was the star of the show in her career debut for the Badgers, earning her first shutout and striking out eight Panthers (1-1 overall). She finished off the final inning taking down three batters with swinging strikeouts.

"It was great to see our freshman Kate come out and throw a complete game win," head coach Yvette Healy said. "To throw a complete game shutout win anytime is great, but to do it the first game of your career on the road in a tough environment against the home team in a dome she's never been in at night, there was a lot of adversity there. We're just so proud of her to stick with it and get the team's first win, I think she has a really bright future."

Junior Kelsey Jenkins started the year with a single to center field for the first hit of the season in the first at bat. She blazed over to second when Chloe Miller grounded out in the next play. Junior transfer Brooke Wyderski was walked to put runners on first and second for senior Sara Novak. Novak blasted a single down the right field line to bring Jenkins home for the lone score of the game.

From then on it was up to the Badger defense to do their part, and they did it well. Menz and company pulled off the third season-opening shutout in school history.

"I'm really proud of the great defense out there with Brooke Wyderski at shortstop and timely hitting from KJ (Jenkins) and Novak," Healy added. "The two hits, we strung them together and did it when it counted and did enough to win. We will take the win!"

After only letting one batter on with a walk in the bottom of the first, the Badgers took down the Panthers in order in the bottom of the second.
UNI tallied one hit in the third, fourth, fifth and seventh innings but was never able to make anything of it and left a total of five runners on the basepath in the game.

The Badgers' only two hits came in the bottom of the first but it proved to be all they needed. UNI had four hits and two errors in the contest.

"[UNI] is a quality opponent, they go to the NCAA a lot and they win their conference a lot," Healy said. "We are just focusing on trying to beat teams that win their conferences. I tip my hat to them, what a great ball club and their pitcher threw a phenomenal game but we're hoping this win gives us momentum going into tomorrow."

The Badgers continue play in the UNI Dome Classic with a 12:30 clash against Nebraska-Omaha and a 5 p.m. contest with Toledo.