Photo by: Daryl Marshke
Badger rally falls short in Big Ten Tournament quarterfinals
May 12, 2017 | Softball
Menz strikes out six Buckeye batters in 3-2 loss
ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- Despite a thrilling sixth-inning rally and a standout performance from freshman Kaitlyn Menz in the circle, the Wisconsin softball team fell to Ohio State, 3-2, in the quarterfinals of the 2017 Big Ten Tournament.
After giving up three runs in the second inning, the Badgers (33-15 overall, 11-11 Big Ten) made an incredible rally in the sixth inning to cut the Ohio State (34-15, 15-8) lead down to one run. Senior Chloe Miller and junior Brooke Wyderski ignited the Badger offense with back-to-back hits and then both were moved into scoring position after a grounder from senior Sara Novak. Sophomore Stephanie Lombardo smashed a two-RBI single to center field that put UW's only two runs on the board.
UW only had one other hit off of OSU's Shelby Hursh and it was in the first inning by Wyderski, who singled to center field but was caught rounding to second base.
Ohio State used an explosive second inning to tally three unearned runs in the bottom of the second inning.
The Buckeyes took advantage of a Badger error to score two unearned runs, bringing in Ashley Goodwin and Becca Gavin. OSU's Anna Kirk then sent a sharp single to center field that brought in Bri Betschel to give Ohio State the 3-0 edge after two innings.
The UW defense retired the Ohio State bats in order in both the third, fourth and fifth innings. Menz dealt three-straight strikeouts in the bottom of the fourth inning, taking down the backend of the Buckeyes' lineup.
Â
Notes to Know
-The Badgers are 7-10 in the program's eight Big Ten Tournament appearances.
-Wisconsin was struck out 10 times by Shelby Hursh.
-Kaitlyn Menz (23-10) threw seven strikeouts in the 6.0 innings she pitched, allowing three unearned runs and five hits.
-Brooke Wyderski went 2-for-3 at the plate, leading the team in hits.
-Stephanie Lombardo led the Badgers with two RBI.
-Chloe Miller scored the Badgers first run, scoring in her sixth consecutive game
Â
Details from the Dugout
"I'm really proud that nobody folded. I think there was a lot going against us, you could tell we came out a little inexperienced there and the jitters were playing into it. There's no way to get over that except to get that postseason experience. We said that early on, this group doesn't have a lot of experience. To match up with Ohio State in the Friday night game, to make it to the quarterfinals of the Big Ten Tournament, that's a pretty big stage to be on in front of a lot of fans. Despite that second inning, I thought the team responded great."
"We knew we were facing a good pitcher, Shelby Hursh has been their ace and she gets her strikeouts and she's tough. But I really like the adjustments we made. I think everybody really battled a lot. I was really just happy with the fact that nobody gave up. I think that's the kind of team we've been all year. To see people get better from the first inning to the last inning was impressive."
"I'm not ready to put the year into perspective yet. Honestly, it's emotional to lose and I'm just going to let it sit right there with the loss right now. I'm not ready to be done yet and I think we've got a great chance to carry on. It's out of our hands, but this group has done some amazing things.
"To see the effort that Kaitlyn Menz put out there, that she's not giving up earned runs and she battled some of the best hitters in our conference. Their team has all the first-team all-conference kids and she stayed tough and contained them and kept the ball in the park. She really gave us a chance, to see that from a freshman, some of the most strikeouts we've seen her put up against a Big Ten team. To do it on this stage, in this atmosphere, I'm really proud of her."
-UW Head Coach Yvette Healy
Â
Â
Â
After giving up three runs in the second inning, the Badgers (33-15 overall, 11-11 Big Ten) made an incredible rally in the sixth inning to cut the Ohio State (34-15, 15-8) lead down to one run. Senior Chloe Miller and junior Brooke Wyderski ignited the Badger offense with back-to-back hits and then both were moved into scoring position after a grounder from senior Sara Novak. Sophomore Stephanie Lombardo smashed a two-RBI single to center field that put UW's only two runs on the board.
UW only had one other hit off of OSU's Shelby Hursh and it was in the first inning by Wyderski, who singled to center field but was caught rounding to second base.
Ohio State used an explosive second inning to tally three unearned runs in the bottom of the second inning.
The Buckeyes took advantage of a Badger error to score two unearned runs, bringing in Ashley Goodwin and Becca Gavin. OSU's Anna Kirk then sent a sharp single to center field that brought in Bri Betschel to give Ohio State the 3-0 edge after two innings.
The UW defense retired the Ohio State bats in order in both the third, fourth and fifth innings. Menz dealt three-straight strikeouts in the bottom of the fourth inning, taking down the backend of the Buckeyes' lineup.
Â
Notes to Know
-The Badgers are 7-10 in the program's eight Big Ten Tournament appearances.
-Wisconsin was struck out 10 times by Shelby Hursh.
-Kaitlyn Menz (23-10) threw seven strikeouts in the 6.0 innings she pitched, allowing three unearned runs and five hits.
-Brooke Wyderski went 2-for-3 at the plate, leading the team in hits.
-Stephanie Lombardo led the Badgers with two RBI.
-Chloe Miller scored the Badgers first run, scoring in her sixth consecutive game
Â
Details from the Dugout
"I'm really proud that nobody folded. I think there was a lot going against us, you could tell we came out a little inexperienced there and the jitters were playing into it. There's no way to get over that except to get that postseason experience. We said that early on, this group doesn't have a lot of experience. To match up with Ohio State in the Friday night game, to make it to the quarterfinals of the Big Ten Tournament, that's a pretty big stage to be on in front of a lot of fans. Despite that second inning, I thought the team responded great."
"We knew we were facing a good pitcher, Shelby Hursh has been their ace and she gets her strikeouts and she's tough. But I really like the adjustments we made. I think everybody really battled a lot. I was really just happy with the fact that nobody gave up. I think that's the kind of team we've been all year. To see people get better from the first inning to the last inning was impressive."
"I'm not ready to put the year into perspective yet. Honestly, it's emotional to lose and I'm just going to let it sit right there with the loss right now. I'm not ready to be done yet and I think we've got a great chance to carry on. It's out of our hands, but this group has done some amazing things.
"To see the effort that Kaitlyn Menz put out there, that she's not giving up earned runs and she battled some of the best hitters in our conference. Their team has all the first-team all-conference kids and she stayed tough and contained them and kept the ball in the park. She really gave us a chance, to see that from a freshman, some of the most strikeouts we've seen her put up against a Big Ten team. To do it on this stage, in this atmosphere, I'm really proud of her."
-UW Head Coach Yvette Healy
Â
Â
Â
Players Mentioned
IF
/ Softball
P
/ Softball
UT
/ Softball
UT
/ Softball
SS
/ SoftballWisconsin Softball || Recap Against Iowa || March 28-29
Tuesday, April 01
Highlights || Wisconsin Softball || Badgers at Paradise Classic
Thursday, February 13
Yvette Healy Media Conference || Wisconsin Softball || April 15, 2024
Monday, April 15
Yvette Healy Media Conference || Wisconsin Softball || May 8, 2023
Monday, May 08
