HOUSTON, Texas – The Wisconsin softball team started its season with a bang Friday Morning with two wins at the Lone Star Collegiate Classic in Houston, Texas. The Badgers beat Nebraska Omaha 9-1 in five innings before shutting out Lamar, 8-0, in five innings.
 
OMAHA
After giving up a run in the first inning, the Badgers found their game in the second inning and never looked back. A Kelly Welsh single tied the game before freshman Ally Miklesh earned her first RBI as a Badger to give UW a 2-1 lead.
 
Wisconsin struck again in the bottom of the third inning thanks to two big Badger hits. Kayla Konwent started the frame with a triple to left field and was joined by Lauren Foster on the base path after drawing a walk. Gabby Scherle sent both of the runners home with a single to center for a 4-1 Wisconsin lead.
 
Three more UW runs crossed home in the bottom of the fourth. A fielding error ultimately led to the first run before a Melanie Cross single scored Welsh and Miklesh to make it a 7-1 ballgame.
 
The Badgers secured their victory in the bottom of the fifth. With one out, Jordan Little singled to center field before scoring off of a triple by Welsh. The game was over when Taylor Johnson singled to right field to give UW an eight-run advantage and the run-rule victory.
 
Sophomore Haley Hestekin pitched a complete game for Wisconsin, striking out five while only allowing two walks, one run and four hits.   
 
LAMAR
The Badgers picked up right where they left off in their second game of the day, scoring eight unanswered runs for a 2-0 start to the season.
 
Sophomore Taylor Johnson led off the bottom of the first inning with a single and scored the first run of the day after stealing second and reaching home on a fielding error.
 
Two more runs in the second inning put UW up 3-0. Miklesh batted in the first run with a triple down the left field line and scored the second run off a Johnson double.
 
After adding another run in the fourth inning, the Wisconsin bats exploded in the fifth frame to clinch a second win. Cross smashed a home run over the left field wall to widen the Wisconsin lead. A couple batters later, Little hit a two-run homer to right field. The Badgers loaded the bases and were rewarded when Konwent singled to send the winning run to the plate.
 
Freshman Maddie Schwartz earned a shutout win in the circle. She struck out two batters and only allowed two hits.
 

Batting Cleanup: Four notes to know

• Senior Melanie Cross had a fabulous first day, collecting three hits, 3 RBI and a home run.
• Freshman Maddie Schwartz earned her first career win from the circle, pitching all five innings against Lamar. Schwartz also earned her first shutout as a Badger, only allowing two hits and three walks.
• Three Badgers notched triples on opening day, including Kayla Konwent and Kelly Welsh against Omaha and Ally Miklesh against Lamar.
• Junior Caroline Hedgcock went 3-for-3 against Lamar.

 

On Deck

The Badgers continue play at the Lone Star Collegiate Classic tomorrow with games against Omaha at 4:30 p.m. and Texas Tech at 7 p.m.