The Wisconsin softball team secured a huge road doubleheader sweep over Iowa Wednesday, and the Badgers return home for another tough test with No. 2 Michigan this weekend.
Wisconsin (6-8 Big Ten, 26-19 overall) opened some eyes around the Big Ten with the sweep of Iowa, who was previously unbeaten at home this year.
""I think we're in the back of everybody's mind,"" sophomore infielder Whitney Massey said. ""If they get a lead, they know that we can very well possibly come back like we've done all season.""
The Badgers have been successful when trailing this season. Both of the victories against Iowa were comeback victories, and the team has racked up a total of 14 comeback wins this season. Just one more come-from-behind victory this season would give this year's team the school record for comeback wins in a season.
""You just don't feel like you're ever out of a game, so I'm really proud of that tenacity,"" head coach Yvette Healy said.
With a high-powered Michigan (10-2, 42-4) offense coming into town this weekend, the Badgers may again have to dig deep. The Wolverines have three sluggers with 10 or more home runs this season and five players with a batting average of .300 or higher. Michigan junior Amanda Chidester has had an especially strong season at the dish, hitting for a .399 average and 10 homers on the year.
Wisconsin will need great pitching this weekend out of the freshman duo of Amanda Najdek and Cassandra Darrah. Both pitchers recorded wins in Iowa City and have had solid seasons in their first year as Badgers.
""I've been hitting my spots, running my lanes and trusting my defense,"" Najdek said.
It will be up to the Badger hitters to keep the game close, but the Wolverines also have two solid pitchers in Jordan Taylor and Stephanie Speierman. The senior Taylor is 21-3 on the year with a 1.49 ERA while Speierman, a sophomore, is 18-1 with a 1.78 ERA.
The Badger offense has been sparked by the return of freshman outfielder Mary Massei, who has hit for a .458 average and two home runs in seven games since returning from an injury. Massei had a three-run homer in the second game of the doubleheader against Iowa, and the Badgers will look for her to continue to provide an offensive spark from the top of the lineup.
""The way that our offense creates opportunities to score gives us a chance against anyone,"" Healy said.
Michigan has won 16 games in a row against the Badgers and has never lost a game in Madison. Even one victory over Michigan this weekend could be a program-changing victory for Wisconsin
""I think it would be huge for our program,"" Massey said. ""I think we'd get a whole different look from everybody across the country. We'd be talked about for sure.""
First pitch of game one in the weekend series with Michigan will be Saturday at noon at Goodman Diamond. The second game will be Sunday at 3 p.m.
