RALEIGH, N.C. – The Wisconsin softball team defeated No. 17 North Carolina State for the second time this weekend, winning 6-3 at Dial Softball Stadium Sunday afternoon. The Badgers (8-1) were a perfect 4-0 this weekend at the ACC/Big Ten Challenge and picked up two ranked wins over NC State.
The Badgers got on the board in the third inning when senior
Melanie Cross ripped a three-run homer to center field scoring
Ally Miklesh and
Jordan Little.
After giving up three runs to the Wolfpack in the bottom of the fourth, Wisconsin took its lead back in the top of the fifth with three more runs.
Taylor Johnson started the inning with a walk and advanced to third base when
Kayla Konwent doubled down the left field line. Both scored when Cross struck again, this time with a single to left.
The Badgers' final run came off a
Kelly Welsh sacrifice bunt that scored
Tyra Turner. Turner was on base pinch running for
Stephanie Lombardo, who had singled via a bunt earlier in the frame.
Freshman
Maddie Schwartz earned the win in the circle after 2.2 solid innings of relief work. Schwartz only allowed one hit in nine at bats and also struck out one batter. Junior
Kaitlyn Menz earned the save in today's game.
Batting clean-up: Four notes to know
- Melanie Cross hit her team-leading fourth home run of the season. The senior also extended her on-base streak to nine games. Cross also tallied a season and game-high five RBI.
- Kayla Knowent also extended her hitting streak to nine games after her double today.
- On the weekend, Jolie Fish led the team with a .500 batting average. The freshman tallied five hits, two runs and a RBI in her 10 plate appearances.
- Wisconsin outhit the Wolfpack 8-4 in its final contest of the ACC/Big Ten Challenge
Up next
Next weekend the Badgers travel to Corpus Christi, Texas for the Islander Invitational. The tournament begins Friday at 10:30 a.m. when UW plays host Texas A&M- Corpus Christi.
