The Wisconsin Badgers softball team opened conference play in the loss column, getting swept by No. 7 UCLA in a three-game road series from March 6-8
Early ending
Wisconsin started off hot in game one, leading 3-1 by the end of the first inning. In the top of the third, after an RBI double from Alivia Bark and an RBI from Makenzie Foster, the Badgers were able to extend their lead, making it 5-1 going into the bottom of the inning.
UCLA fought back at the plate in the bottom of the third, managing to get four hits and three runs, narrowing the Badger’s lead 5-4.
Wisconsin failed to maintain their lead for the rest of the game. UCLA took over in the fourth inning, holding Wisconsin scoreless after Brynne Nally came into pitch. The Bruins were then able to score eight runs in the bottom of the inning, making the score 11-5.
Bruin Jordan Woolery ended the game early via mercy rule in the fifth inning, with her second home run of the night, bringing in three runs and making the final score 14-5.
Shoutout
UCLA came out swinging in game two, scoring four runs in the first inning, including a three-run home run from Ramsey Suarez.
UCLA doubled their lead in the second inning, scoring four more, with another home run from Woolery bringing in three of those runs.
Wisconsin was unable to match UCLA’s explosive offense struggling to bring any batters home. UCLA once again ended the game in the fifth inning, with a final score of 8-0 .
Offenses shine
Game three started out as a more competitive and high-scoring match-up. UCLA held a 4-2 lead by the end of the first inning.
In the top of the second inning, Wisconsin tied the score with a two-run home run from Hannah Conger. A two-RBI single from Danielle Lucey gave the Badgers a 6-4 lead going into the bottom of the second.
UCLA responded quickly at the bottom of the inning, tying the game 6-6. The Bruin bats stayed hot throughout the third inning, knocking in five hits and five more runs to give UCLA the 11-6 lead.
Hilary Blomberg started off the fourth inning with a two-run home run. A few more singles allowed the Badgers to narrow UCLA’s lead down to 11-9.
UCLA took over the game in the bottom of the inning with a grand slam from Alexis Ramirez.
The Bruins were able to hold off the Badgers the rest of the game. UCLA earned one more run in the sixth inning and won with a final score of 16-9.
Wisconsin will travel to Pennsylvania next weekend to face off Penn State in another three-game series, beginning play on March 20.
