Wisconsin struggled to keep up with No. 5 Nebraska over the April 10-12 weekend as the Cornhuskers completed a three-game series sweep while shutting the Badgers out twice.
Wisconsin won eight of their previous 10 games coming into the season, but their no-show against UCLA is a further indication that the Badgers have struggled against highly-ranked teams. Wisconsin is now 0-6 against teams ranked in the ESPN.com/USA Softball Collegiate Top 25 Poll.
Nebraska opened up scoring in the third inning of game one after a triple from Jordy Frahm brought in a run. Jesse Farrell doubled the Huskers’ lead in the fourth inning with a solo home run to center field beforeKacie Hoffman’s single drove in two more in the sixth inning, making the score 4-0.
Wisconsin struggled at the plate throughout the game. The Badgers offensive had a total of 10 strikeouts and just two hits.
Hannah Camenzind finished off scoring for the Huskers in the seventh inning, with an RBI single to third base. Nebraska took game one with a score of 5-0.
The Badgers failed to ignite their offense in game two, flailing their way to another shutout.
The game was tied until Nebraska broke the game open in the fourth inning, batting around their lineup. Highlighted by a two-run home run from Alexis Jensen, the Huskers brought in six runs by the end of the inning.
Wisconsin got their first hits of the game in the seventh inning, with singles from Alivia Bark and Kendra Lewis on two outs. Frahm completed the shutout for Nebraska in the next at bat, ending the game 6-0 with her fifth strikeout of the evening.
Ava Kuszak got game three started for Nebraska on Sunday with a two-run home run in the first inning.
Hits from Farrell and Hoffman doubled the Husker’s lead in the fourth inning. A Wisconsin throwing error in the fifth allowed Nebraska to go up 5-0 going into the bottom of the inning.
Kendra Lewis brought in the Badgers’ first run of the weekend, popping up a sacrifice fly to left field to bring home Sydney Spear.
Nebraska completely took over in the fifth inning, bringing in a total of seven more runs. The offensive explosion was highlighted by a grand slam to center field from Frahm and another two-run home run from Kuszak, making the score 12-1 going into the bottom of the inning.
Kaylie Whidden gave the Badgers some hope in the fifth inning, hitting the first home run of her career to left field. But Wisconsin was not able to claw back from their 10-run deficit, ending game three early with a final score of 12-2.
