The Wisconsin softball team gave up a Notre Dame school record three home runs in the fourth inning as the Irish sailed to an 11-5 victory Wednesday at Melissa Cook Stadium in Notre Dame, Ind.
Wisconsin junior pitcher Leah Vanevenhoven picked up the loss in 2.2 innings pitched, dropping her record to 4-19 on the season. The pitching tandem of Vanevenhoven and sophomore Letty Olivarez combined for 12 hits, 10 earned runs and three walks with just one strikeout.
Backed by strong defense, Olivarez had a powerful early performance, giving up only one hit and holding the Irish scoreless in the first three innings.
The Badger offense shook Notre Dame's junior pitcher Brittney Bargar in the top of the wild fourth inning. Left fielder Valyncia Raphael began with a leadoff walk. First baseman Alexis Garcia moved Raphael to second with a single up the middle.
The next two batters, Olivarez and shortstop Lynn Anderson both walked, scoring Raphael from third. Right fielder Ashley Hanewich grounded out to second base, scoring Raphael. Second baseman Livi Abney reached first on a throwing error by the Notre Dame third baseman, scoring Olivarez from third. Center fielder Katie Soderberg grounded out to second base, scoring Anderson. Finally, a wild pitch scored Abney from third, making five runs on just two Wisconsin hits.
Wisconsin's outburst seemed to wake up the Notre Dame bats, as the Irish answered with six runs in the bottom of the fourth inning. Irish third baseman Linda Kohan led off with a deep homer to center field, followed three batters later by Christine Lux, who put a two-run shot over the fence in left-center.
Midway through the fourth inning, Wisconsin brought on Vanevenhoven in relief, but the Badger ace couldn't silence the Irish bats, as shortstop Katie Fleury sent a deep blast to left field, picking up two RBI's in the process. A fly out to Raphael in left ended the inning.
Hanewich led off the Badger half of the sixth with a lead off triple down the right field line. After Abney grounded out to second base, Soderberg reached on an error. Senior catcher Joey Daniels walked for the third time, loading the bases with just one out, but consecutive strikeouts of junior third baseman Theresa Brouta and Raphael kept Wisconsin from crossing home plate.
Up 6-5 after four innings, Notre Dame added two more runs in the bottom of the fifth and a three-run homer by Kohan in the sixth to secure the non-conference victory.
With the loss, Wisconsin (12-33) has now dropped 12 of their last 14 games.
Wisconsin will look to get back on track against two conference opponents this weekend, as they travel to Iowa Friday and Saturday, then to Illinois for a double header on Sunday.
No. 25 Iowa (28-13, 7-3) currently sits at third place in the Big Ten, already with wins over No. 13 Northwestern and No. 6 Michigan this season.
Hawkeye junior pitcher Brittany Weil was named last week's co-Big Ten Pitcher of the Week after compiling a 3-1 record, a 0.72 earned run average and 36 strikeouts in contests against Michigan State and No. 13 Northwestern.
Illinois (24-23, 3-7) sits in ninth place in the conference after splitting a double header with Michigan State last Sunday.
The explosive Illini offense leads the Big Ten in hits, runs scored, RBIs, doubles, home runs and slugging percentage. Illinois has hit a home run in each of its last seven contests.
The Badgers have not fared particularly well against either opponent, garnering records of 7-21 against Iowa and 4-11 record against the Illini.
- uwbadgers.com contributed to this report.
