In a dramatic series that featured a come-from-behind walk-off victory on Sunday, Wisconsin softball exercised some demons against Michigan at home over the weekend, picking up their first win against the Wolverines since 2017, and first series win against Michigan since 2014.
Michigan started the series with a three-run first inning on Friday off an Ella Stephenson three-run home run to left field.
The Badgers responded in the bottom of the first, as lead-off hitter Emily Bojan answered with a home run on a full count to get the Badgers on the board. Wisconsin continued to get runners on base throughout the inning and cashed in on a two-run double from Kaylie Whidden to tie the game at 3.
But despite the fast start, game one was stopped during the third inning due to weather circumstances and postponed to Saturday.
When play resumed on Saturday, Michigan took the lead in the fourth inning, bringing in two runs in the fourth inning, including a bases-loaded walk on a full count.
Hilary Blomberg led off the fifth inning with a home run to right field, her team-leading 13th, to narrow Michigan’s lead to 5-4.
The Wolverines were able to get on base consistently throughout the game, bringing in a run on a wild pitch in the fifth. A home run from Maddie Erickson in the seventh inning brought in Michigan’s last run, ending the game with a score of 7-4.
Game two started immediately after, with a two-run home run from Blomberg giving Wisconsin an early 2-0 lead and paving their path for Wisconsin to end their 14-game Wolverine losing streak.
Blomberg stayed hot at the plate, racking in another run in the second inning with a single to right field.
Michigan struggled defensively throughout the second inning, giving up a run with a walk on bases loaded. Wisconsin then scored on a defensive error, extending their lead to 5-0. A single from Makenzie Foster drove in another run for the Badgers in the fourth inning.
The Wolverines were finally able to get on the board, bringing in three runs in the fifth inning.
Kendra Lewis came in to pitch in the fifth inning and was able to hold the Wolverines at three until the end of the game, which ended with a score of 6-3.
Whidden broke the ice in a wild rubber match game on Sunday, with a sacrifice bunt to bring in Danielle Lucey in the second inning. A two-outRBI from Rylie Crane extended the Badgers lead to 2-0.
Wisconsin ran into some defensive trouble in the third inning, allowing the Wolverines to get on the board after a wild pitch.
Michigan continued to get on base in the fourth inning. RBIs from Madi Ramey and Janelle Ilacqua allowed Michigan to take a 4-2 lead.
Michigan doubled their lead in the fifth inning, with a double from Ramey bringing in two of those runs, making the score 8-2.
But the Badgers were able to awaken their offense in the bottom of the fifth inning, sending 13 players to the plate and scoring seven runs. RBIs from Alivia Bark and Foster got the rally started, and a Rylie Crane single continued the rally with two more runs.
After Bojan earned a bases-loaded walk, Blomberg immediately followed with a two RBI single to take the lead 9-8.
Wisconsin continued to add to their lead in the sixth, with Whidden and Bojan both bringing in a run.
The Badgers ran into some defensive trouble at the top of the last inning, with back-to-back errors allowing the Wolverines to bring in a run. Lauren Putz produced a three-run home run to take back the lead, making the score 12-11 with the Badgers down by one going into the bottom of the inning.
With their backs against the wall, a Lewis walk and Lucey single put runners on first and second. After a fielder’s choice moved them to second and third, Whidden smashed a three-run homer to center field to walk-off the Wolverines for a well-deserved series victory.
