The Wisconsin softball team lost 3-of-4 games at home over the weekend, but a win in their final game has given them confidence as they prepare to face Northern Iowa Wednesday.
After the second game on Sunday we've really pumped up the intensity,"" junior third baseman Theresa Boruta said. ""We're taking the momentum into this week.""
The Badgers (1-7 Big Ten, 11-28 overall) had been on a seven-game losing streak before their second game on Sunday against Indiana. A strong pitching performance by freshman Kristyn Hansen and flawless defense secured the victory.
""That was the best performance [our defense] has had this year,"" head coach Chandelle Schulte said. ""You get strong glimpses of what we're capable of, and now we expect to do that more often.""
Schulte also agreed with Boruta that the mood of the team is good this week, but noted that missed opportunities have cost Wisconsin.
""We're on a high note because of the win,"" Schulte said. ""But at the same time, we could be sitting at 3-5 instead of 1-7 and be in the middle of the Big Ten.""
Before the Badgers returns to the meat of the Big Ten schedule this weekend, they will play one game against the Panthers at 5 p.m. at the Goodman Softball Complex.
Northern Iowa (2-9 MVC, 14-20 overall) is part of the Missouri Valley Conference. The significance of Wisconsin's non-conference games, during conference play, is unclear.
Schulte admitted the contest tomorrow, along with other non-conference games, is less important than Big Ten games. But it is a game Schulte feels is necessary to play.
""You don't want to go a week without playing,"" Schulte said.
Despite having no impact on the Big Ten standings, games like these can be valuable because of the experience and practice a team can gain from them.
""There are things that happen in games that can't happen in practice,"" Boruta said. ""So I feel like it is great preparation for the weekend.""
Schulte also noted that she may post a different lineup than the one used this weekend to provide less tenured players with some in-game action.
The contest will also give Wisconsin a chance to work on its offense, which has struggled. The Badgers are batting .204 as a team this season and have 65 fewer hits than their opponents in 39 games. Wisconsin is also averaging only 2.6 runs per game, ranking last in the conference.
The Badgers have had bright spots early in the Big Ten season. Senior catcher Joey Daniels has a .468 on-base percentage, which ranks fifth in the conference. Junior outfielder Valyncia Raphael is third in the conference with three doubles.
The last time the Badgers faced the Panthers was in 2005 in Madison. Wisconsin swept the doubleheader and is 3-0 all-time against Northern Iowa.
