RALEIGH, N.C. – On the first day of the ACC/Big Ten Challenge, the Wisconsin softball team took down Pittsburgh 8-0 before upsetting No. 17 North Carolina State, 3-1, to improve to 6-1 on the season.
 
PITTSBURGH
A monster second inning was the pivotal moment in UW's 8-0 shutout over Pittsburgh. Senior Kelly Welsh got things started with a single up the middle followed by another single from freshman Jolie Fish. Senior Stephanie Lombardo knocked in the first run of the day with a single of her own to give the Badgers a lead they would never relinquish.
 
The hot bats did not stop there. Jordan Little reached first on a fielder's choice and scored Fish before freshman Ally Miklesh tallied UW's fourth single of the inning to load the bases. Taylor Johnson flied out to right field in the next at bat but a Pitt throwing error led to two more Wisconsin runs. Junior Kayla Konwent put an exclamation point on the second inning with a two-run blast over the right field wall to give the Badgers a 6-0 lead.
 
In the fourth inning, senior Melanie Cross homered to center for Wisconsin's seventh run.
 
The Badgers scored one last run in the top of the seventh thanks to a Caroline Hedgcock double. Hedgcock scored Welsh reached base on a leadoff walk.
 
Sophomore Haley Hestekin earned the win in the circle after pitching four solid innings. Hestekin struck out three batters and only gave up one hit. Hedgcock pitched the remaining three innings with one strikeout and two hits allowed.
 
No. 17 NORTH CAROLINA STATE
Birthday girl Kelly Welsh got the scoring started in the second inning for Wisconsin. After doubling to center, she stole third and was sent home on a Fish sacrifice fly.
 
NC State responded in the top of the third with a run of its own, but the Badgers grabbed the lead back in the bottom of the inning to go up 3-1. After Miklesh drew a leadoff walk, Konwent hit an infield single for runners on first and second with no outs. Miklesh was sent home on a Cross fielder's choice and Konwent added the third run on a wild pitch.
 
Junior Kaitlyn Menz started her first game of the season. The Waukee, Iowa, native struck out six batters in her seven innings in the circle. Menz only allowed four hits and two walks en route to her first win of the year.
 

Batting clean-up: Four notes to know

• With a hit in both of today's games, Kayla Konwent extended her hitting streak to seven games.
• In game one against Pitt the Badgers did not give up a walk.
• Wisconsin outhit its opponents 13-7.
• Senior Kelly Welsh hit a team-high three hits for the day.

 

On deck

The Badgers continue play in the ACC/Big Ten Challenge tomorrow morning when they face Pitt at 11:30 a.m. (CT).