Wisconsin (18-3 overall) tries to continue their six-game win streak in the Louisville Classic starting this Friday, where will they take on four teams in three days.
This tournament marks an important test for the Badgers, as they will face two ranked teams in No. 24 North Carolina (18-6) and No. 11 Louisville (21-3).
The Louisville Tournament marks the second time this season the Badgers go up against multiple ranked opponents in one tournament, something of which head coach Yvette Healy and the team are well aware.
“What we kept hearing from a lot of people was that we needed more signature wins, more wins against ranked teams, so everybody circled those games on the schedule,” Healy said.
The task of defeating Louisville is made more significant by their renowned home record, which sits at 36-2 since the beginning of the 2011-’12 season.
“I think everybody’s excited especially since you’re the underdog when you play Louisville at Louisville,” Healy said. “They’re always a tough team anywhere but when they’re at home they’re ridiculously good.”
Wisconsin will also challenge two other formidable opponents this weekend, facing Ball State (11-9) and Eastern Michigan (8-8), who it plays twice.
“Ball State [has] about five kids who were all region so have a really talented pool up and down their lineup that you’re going to have to pitch against,” Healy said.
Senior pitcher Meghan McIntosh is looking to capitalize on the confidence she gained after throwing her first career no-hitter against Eastern Kentucky last weekend.
“I’ll bring the same confidence and same mindset going into this weekend,” McIntosh said. “We’re just going to go in 1-0 after our first game against North Carolina and get that win first.”
McIntosh’s accomplishment is already the second no-hitter by the Badgers this season. Healy noted the impressiveness of the feat saying, “to have two different pitchers throw a no-hitter in the same season, I’ve never seen that before so I couldn’t be more proud of the team.”
Junior infielder Michelle Mueller had a spectacular tournament on the offensive side of the game, batting .615, and is concentrated on recreating her performance.
“We’ll focus on the same things we continue to focus on,” Mueller said. “To make sure we’re seeing the ball and I’ll personally make sure I put the ball in play, and having that confidence that we are great team and that we can do great things.”
Both Mueller and McIntosh won Big Ten Players of the Week for the tournament, making it the fifth time a Badger has received such honors this year, already a team record for the season.
“Michelle did not make All-conference last year in the Big Ten and she put up some really good numbers so I’m happy for her especially,” Healy said. “And for Meghan as a senior its really nice tribute to her.”
