The women's softball team (7-5 Big Ten, 24-14 overall) crossed the border into Michigan to avenge last weekend's three-game losing streak, and they did just that with a sweep against Michigan State and a split against Michigan.
A rain delay of over an hour could not stop the Badgers as they opened their two-day duel with the Michigan State Spartans (3-7 Big Ten, 20-25 overall) with a 1-0 victory Friday.
Although the game got off to a slow start, with only three hits in the first two innings, the Badgers leapt onto the scoreboard early in the third inning when a hit from senior outfielder Kerry Hagen to left centerfield drove sophomore left fielder Sheena Padovan home from second base.
Despite a Spartan rally late in the game, Michigan State's three hits in the game were not enough to match Wisconsin's eight, and Wisconsin needed to add a win to its record.
Saturday, the Badgers had more of the same success, with a 2-1 win over the Spartans. Michigan State jumped to an early lead in the first inning, when junior outfielder Sandy Lewis hit a solo homer on a pitch from freshman Katie Layne. But UW fought back, and within the first inning, scored both of its runs. Junior outfielder Mandy Liles hit one into shallow right field, followed by a single from freshman shortstop Kristin Zacher. Although sophomore infielder Meghann Reiss grounded out, she advanced Liles and Zacher, setting them up for a RBI from junior second baser Anna Jones.
The Badgers continued their winning streak with a victory over Michigan (8-2 Big Ten, 32-8 overall) in the first of a doubleheader Sunday. UW defeated the Wolverines, 2-0, to complete a three-game winning streak. Junior pitcher Andrea Kirchberg saw success, pitching a complete-game shutout. While the Badgers held Michigan scoreless, they put points on board in the third, as Zacher sent the ball sailing over the fence, bringing in Hagen as well as herself.
The Badgers could not continue their trend, however, and dropped the second contest, 4-0. Michigan juniors left fielder Melinda Moulden and outfielder Lisa Mack scored in the fifth inning, while senior third baser Stefanie Volpe and sophomore catcher Monica Schock scored in the sixth.
