When the Wisconsin softball team steps on to the field Thursday for a home double-header against North Dakota, the Badgers will be focused on executing well defensively against the Fighting Sioux.
The Badgers (1-3 Big Ten, 17-14 overall) committed four errors in a loss to Notre Dame Tuesday and spent a large portion of practice this week focusing on defensive communication and fielding execution in an effort to improve their glove work.
""Communication is a big issue with us,"" freshman infielder Michelle Mueller said. ""It's one thing we're trying to work on. Talking more will help us eliminate our errors.""
There are two players on the North Dakota team (10-22) that the Badgers will especially keep an eye on. Sophomore outfielder Kayelee Schoeny is sporting an impressive .422 average this season while sophomore pitcher Michelle Frank is the reigning Great West Conference pitcher of the week.
To keep Schoeny in check, the Badgers will have to get ahead of her in the count and make her work for anything she gets.
""We've got to challenge her, and we've got to try to keep her off the bases,"" head coach Yvette Healy said. ""You have to try to work ahead and contain her a little bit.""
And when it comes to Frank, Badger hitters will try to bring a patient approach to the plate every at-bat.
""We've got to sit back and make her throw pitches,"" Mueller said. ""We need to tire her out throughout the game and jump on her pitches in the fifth inning or so.""
Wisconsin's pitching staff has been successful lately, but has had to work out of numerous jams as a result of by shaky defense behind them in the field. Freshman pitcher Amanda Najdek pitched four and two-thirds innings against Notre Dame Tuesday and gave up only one run. Sophomore pitcher Meghan McIntosh relieved Najdek but gave up five unearned runs after a Wisconsin error that would have ended the inning and kept the game tied at one.
The pitcher is an important part of the defense as well, and Najdek says that defense is something that everyone needs to continue to work on.
""We need to focus every pitch, and know the situation,"" Najdek said. ""We're coming back to practice to work on it and get better.""
The Badgers are in the midst of a seven-game homestand. The team is looking to get on a roll at Goodman Diamond and build some confidence to take with them into hostile Big Ten road environments later in the season.
""I think it's really about enjoying being at home and getting used to playing during the school season,"" Healy said. ""Can we play well after sitting in class all day? You go to a school like Wisconsin, and that's so tough. I really want to see if we can switch gears and turn it on in the softball field right away.""
The first pitch of Thursday's doubleheader against North Dakota is scheduled for 4 p.m. at Goodman Diamond.
