The Wisconsin softball team (1-3 Big Ten, 12-22 overall) will host the Illinois Fighting Illini (3-2, 18-10) in an important Big Ten meeting this weekend.
Both teams enter the weekend struggling in recent Big Ten action. The Badgers lost three of their first four conference games this season, dropping a pair with Purdue and splitting a pair with Indiana. The Illini, who won their first three Big Ten games of the season, were swept in a doubleheader Wednesday by Iowa.
Wisconsin starting pitchers have struggled in the Badgers' last three games. In Wisconsin's second game with Indiana and in Wednesday's two games against UW-Green Bay, Badger starters have pitched a total of only 4.3 innings. Junior Letty Olivarez and senior Leah Vanevenhoven have performed well coming in to relieve one another, but have often faced insurmountable leads.
""Our replacements have thrown very well,"" head coach Chandelle Schulte said.
To avoid burning out Olivarez and Vanevenhoven, Schulte has added sophomore Kristyn Hansen to the rotation. According to Schulte, Hansen has been pitching well in practice recently, adding an off-speed curveball to her repertoire of pitches. The Franksville, Wis., native played a vital role in Wisconsin's 11-2 rout of UW-Green Bay Wednesday.
""She's definitely proven to us that she should at least see some time,"" Schulte said.
Hansen was also pleased with her performance against UW-Green Bay and hopes it leads to increased playing time.
""It shows my coaches that I'm ready whenever they need me,"" Hansen said.
Olivarez, Vanevenhoven and Hansen will face a dangerous lineup this weekend. The Illini present a potent offense, led by sophomore utility player Danielle Zymkowitz and sophomore outfielder Hollie Pinchback. Zymkowitz is batting .459 and has collected a team-high 45 hits. Pinchback leads the team with nine doubles and is second on the squad with three home runs.
Schulte said Wisconsin pitchers will have to be careful and make sure to pitch around the strike zone to avoid giving up big innings to the Illini.
""We are going to have to make them hit their weaknesses,"" Schulte said.
Despite the recent struggles of her starters, Schulte does not believe fatigue will play a role over the weekend.
""I don't think it's about overthrowing,"" Schulte said. ""I think it's just about getting your job done.""
If Illinois has a weakness, it is its pitching. The Illini offense scored 131 runs this season, but their pitchers have given up 148 runs. The Badgers should expect to face Illinois freshman Monica Perry, who leads the team with 13 wins. Perry also has all of Illinois' 14 complete games.
The Badgers proved Wednesday they can string together several strong innings at the plate, scoring multiple runs in the third, fifth and sixth innings. If Wisconsin pitchers can pitch around Illinois' powerful lineup and get the young Perry into a jam early, Wisconsin can keep the game close.
""We're going to have to hit if we plan on being in the ballgame,"" Schulte said.
The Badgers and the Illini will face off at the Goodman Softball Complex this Saturday, with a rematch Sunday. Both games are slated to start at 2 p.m.
