Saturday, March 4
Houston, TX
9 A.M.
Wisconsin Badgers
15-2
16
vs
2
Princeton
0-3
1
2
3
4
5
R
H
E
Wisconsin
0
2
8
4
2
16
10
0
Princeton
0
0
2
0
0
2
8
0
Photo by: Jack McLaughlin
Badgers pounce Tigers with dominant 16-2 win
March 04, 2017 | Softball
Wisconsin’s second game delayed by weather
HOUSTON, Texas – The Wisconsin softball team was able to complete its third game of the Hilton Plaza Classic, defeating Princeton 16-2, before field conditions forced the Badgers to postpone their game against host Houston until Sunday.
The Badgers (15-2) started the day with a statement, blowing past Princeton (0-3) in five innings, 16-2.
Wisconsin scored eight runs in the third inning alone, highlighted by a grand slam from sophomore Melanie Cross that junior Samantha Arents followed up with a solo dinger to take a double-digit lead, 10-0.
After junior Brianna Flugaur secured a base hit to lead off the third inning, Princeton walked four consecutive Badgers to bring Flugaur and junior Kelsey Jenkins home for a 4-0 lead. Sophomore Stephanie Lombardo brought in another run with a single to center before Cross stepped up to the plate and went yard down the left field line, upping the lead to 9-0. Arents then homered left on the next at bat for a 10-0 advantage.
Princeton put two on the board in the bottom of the third with a pair of RBI singles, but the Badgers responded by widening the lead with another four runs in the fourth and two in the fifth on a two-RBI homer from Cross that clinched the 16-2 victory.
The rain halted the Badgers just as they were getting started against Houston. Wisconsin scored a pair of runs in the fifth inning to take a 2-0 lead before the game was called due field conditions.
In the top of the fifth, Jenkins sent a double all the way to the fence, bringing home Welsh who reached first base on a Cougar throwing error earlier in the inning. Wyderski then knocked a single to center to score Jenkins to up the Wisconsin lead, 2-0, before the rain moved in.
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Notes to Know:
-Wisconsin tied a program-record eight runs in the third inning against Princeton.Â
-The Badgers recorded a season-high walks (10), runs (16), RBI (15) and home runs (3) against the TigersÂ
-Sophomore Melanie Cross had a team season-high seven RBI against Princeton.Â
-Senior Kirsten Stevens pitched all five innings against Princeton, striking out two batters.
-Samantha Arents led all Badgers in hits, going a perfect 3-for-3 at bat. Chloe Miller and Melanie Cross each recorded two hits as well.
-Melanie Cross recorded seven RBI against the Tigers with a grand slam and a two-run homer. Her seven RBI are tied for second in program history.
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Details from the Dugout:
"This morning was a fun game to see some new faces lead the charge. Melanie Cross had a monster day, with two home runs and seven RBI. She's been battling to find her groove this season. We knew it was only a matter of time before she broke through.
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"We're also proud of Sam Arents and her pinch hit home run. She looked balanced and time up all day. Kirsten Stevens did a great job leading the way on the mound. Princeton has a lot of really tough lefties that she has to compete with."
-UW head coach Yvette Healy
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Up Next:
The Badgers continue the Hilton Plaza Classic on Sunday with a rematch, facing Princeton at 9 a.m. CT at the Cougar Softball Stadium. Wisconsin will then complete its game against Houston, picking up in the bottom of the fifth inning.
The Badgers (15-2) started the day with a statement, blowing past Princeton (0-3) in five innings, 16-2.
Wisconsin scored eight runs in the third inning alone, highlighted by a grand slam from sophomore Melanie Cross that junior Samantha Arents followed up with a solo dinger to take a double-digit lead, 10-0.
After junior Brianna Flugaur secured a base hit to lead off the third inning, Princeton walked four consecutive Badgers to bring Flugaur and junior Kelsey Jenkins home for a 4-0 lead. Sophomore Stephanie Lombardo brought in another run with a single to center before Cross stepped up to the plate and went yard down the left field line, upping the lead to 9-0. Arents then homered left on the next at bat for a 10-0 advantage.
Princeton put two on the board in the bottom of the third with a pair of RBI singles, but the Badgers responded by widening the lead with another four runs in the fourth and two in the fifth on a two-RBI homer from Cross that clinched the 16-2 victory.
The rain halted the Badgers just as they were getting started against Houston. Wisconsin scored a pair of runs in the fifth inning to take a 2-0 lead before the game was called due field conditions.
In the top of the fifth, Jenkins sent a double all the way to the fence, bringing home Welsh who reached first base on a Cougar throwing error earlier in the inning. Wyderski then knocked a single to center to score Jenkins to up the Wisconsin lead, 2-0, before the rain moved in.
Â
Notes to Know:
-Wisconsin tied a program-record eight runs in the third inning against Princeton.Â
-The Badgers recorded a season-high walks (10), runs (16), RBI (15) and home runs (3) against the TigersÂ
-Sophomore Melanie Cross had a team season-high seven RBI against Princeton.Â
-Senior Kirsten Stevens pitched all five innings against Princeton, striking out two batters.
-Samantha Arents led all Badgers in hits, going a perfect 3-for-3 at bat. Chloe Miller and Melanie Cross each recorded two hits as well.
-Melanie Cross recorded seven RBI against the Tigers with a grand slam and a two-run homer. Her seven RBI are tied for second in program history.
Â
Details from the Dugout:
"This morning was a fun game to see some new faces lead the charge. Melanie Cross had a monster day, with two home runs and seven RBI. She's been battling to find her groove this season. We knew it was only a matter of time before she broke through.
Â
"We're also proud of Sam Arents and her pinch hit home run. She looked balanced and time up all day. Kirsten Stevens did a great job leading the way on the mound. Princeton has a lot of really tough lefties that she has to compete with."
-UW head coach Yvette Healy
Â
Up Next:
The Badgers continue the Hilton Plaza Classic on Sunday with a rematch, facing Princeton at 9 a.m. CT at the Cougar Softball Stadium. Wisconsin will then complete its game against Houston, picking up in the bottom of the fifth inning.
Team Stats
Pitching:
W: Stevens, Kirsten (6-0)
L: LaGuardia, Ashley (0-1)
Batting:
2B: Miller, Chloe 1 ; Novak, Sara 1
HR: Cross, Melanie 2 ; Arents, Samantha 1
RBI: Jenkins, Kelsey 1 ; Miller, Chloe 2 ; Wyderski, Brooke 1 ; Novak, Sara 1 ; Lombardo, Stephanie 1 ; Cross, Melanie 7 ; Arents, Samantha 2
SF: Cross, Melanie 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Jenkins, Kelsey 1 ; Miller, Chloe 1 ; Wyderski, Brooke 1 ; Novak, Sara 3 ; Heim, McKenna 1 ; Lombardo, Stephanie 1 ; Scherle, Gabby 1 ; Little, Jordan 1 ; Cross, Melanie 2 ; Arents, Samantha 2 ; Flugaur, Brianna 2
SB: Heim, McKenna 1 ; Scherle, Gabby 1 ; Flugaur, Brianna 1
HBP: Novak, Sara 1
Batting:
RBI: Donahey, Megan 1 ; Harvey, Allison 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Waslawski, Kaitlyn 1 ; Hineman, Haley 1
SB: Pierce, Kylee 1 ; Waslawski, Kaitlyn 1
Game Leaders
ph/rf
AB
3
R
2
H
3
RBI
2
AB
3
R
1
H
2
RBI
2
AB
3
R
2
H
2
RBI
7
AB
1
R
3
H
1
RBI
1
Players Mentioned
IF
/ SoftballC
/ Softball
OF/UT
/ Softball
IF/UT
/ Softball
IF
/ SoftballUT
/ Softball
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