One of the keys to last season's late surge for the Wisconsin softball team (2-4 Big Ten, 16-15 overall) was the play of its freshman class, and perhaps nobody more than the team's freshman of the year Katie Hnatyk. The now-sophomore right fielder was rewarded further on Monday, becoming the first UW softball player ever named to a national team as Canada named her to its Canadian Senior Women's National Team.
With 32 of the team's 54 home runs and 101 of the team's 215 RBIs from last season's team graduated, Hnatyk has emerged as an offensive leader for the Badgers. Tied for third in home runs at the end of last year, Hnatyk now the team relies on her for almost all of the team's power. Last week's games were indicative of what's gone on all season, as Hnatyk hit .375 with a home run and a double to lead the Badgers to three wins.
I'm hoping to step up even a little more as the season goes on,\ Hnatyk said. ""But we do have a lot more younger people stepping up like Lex [Alexis Garcia] and Joey [Daniels] and some of our freshman have stepped up too, so hopefully we're trying to rebuild for that.""
Hnatyk's offense is one of the reasons why Wisconsin is still over .500. She leads the team in home runs (six), doubles (five), and RBIs (24) while being in the top three in at-bats, batting average, runs, hits and stolen bases. Also helping Hnatyk's offense has been the play of leadoff hitter Sam Polito, who is batting .356 and has been knocked in several times by Hnatyk.
""For Katie, honestly, it's not about power, it's about high average,"" head coach Chandelle Schulte said. ""It's more about consistency than power; power is easy for her, it's about hitting behind runners and hitting in difficult situations.""
Hitting behind runners has been one of the most difficult things to accomplish for the Badgers lately. They have stranded 44 runners in the last four games and cannot seem to get the clutch hit when it is needed. The brunt of the Big Ten schedule is approaching, so Wisconsin needs to change that deficiency quickly.
""We have to string hits together and carry momentum throughout the game,"" Hnatyk said. ""We're not carrying it through and we're just sitting back.""
Coming into town this weekend are a surprisingly stubborn Michigan State team (6-0, 27-11) and the No. 12 Michigan Wolverines, the reigning Big Ten and national champions. The Badgers are struggling but perhaps will be underestimated, leaving room for an upset or two.
""We have to come out strong this weekend, have a good week of practice,"" Hnatyk said. ""We're playing Michigan this weekend who are obviously going to be tough.""
The London, Ontario native starts playing exhibition games with Softball Canada this summer to prepare for the International Softball Women's Championship in late August. If Canada does well, they will qualify for the 2008 Olympics in Beijing.
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