Wisconsin Badgers softball (14-23 overall, 3-11 Big Ten) is returning home after coming off a losing weekend, splitting two games against Northwestern (26-13, 7-7) and losing both games in a doubleheader against No. 23 Illinois (35-18, 11-3). The Badgers have not won a series since their April 6 sweep of Indiana.
Despite losing last weekend, Wisconsin Head Coach Karen Gallagher saw the weekend as an improvement in the offensive game, \We hit well ... we had good comeback innings and that we didn't have in the past.""
In each of the four games the Badgers pushed the game close in the last innings. They could only capitalize in game one against Northwestern, however, getting an extra-inning win with the help from sophomore shortstop Kris Zacher's bat that sent a full-count pitch for a home run. The other three games, Gallagher said, ""We just couldn't close the door.""
Coach Gallagher and her team are in need to pull out wins for a bid to the Big Ten Tournament in this weekend's games. ""We pretty much have to win every game, and it's a do-or-die situation for us now.""
The Badgers will have a tough job on their hands against the Penn State Nittany Lions (25-18, 6-6) and the Ohio State Buckeyes (23-18, 4-6). Today and Saturday the softball team battles against Penn State followed by a doubleheader Sunday against the Buckeyes.
Penn State will come prepared with a tough offense, led by the school's new all-time hits record holder senior Gina Bianchini, along with a defense led by junior pitcher Marisa Hanson.
Ohio State won't let things get easier for the lady Badgers. The Buckeyes, splitting games against Michigan State and Michigan last weekend, have momentum going into this weekend's games. The Badgers will again face an all-time school record holder. Sunday it will be Ohio State's strikeout leader senior pitcher Katie Chain, who currently has 672 strikeouts in her career.
Gallagher and Wisconsin senior pitcher Andrea Kirchberg hope to get some run support for the pitcher, who has kept an ERA of 1.51, but has a 12-15 record. One change that will have to get started is an offense that plays the whole game.
The team leader in batting average coming into Friday's game is sophomore catcher Boo Gillette, hitting .265. One of the hottest hitters on the team lately is senior outfielder Erin Barnharst, who has hit .333 over the last weekend, including a team-leading fifth home run.
Wisconsin looks to boost themselves up in the Big Ten standings and to stay in the hunt for a Big Ten Tournament bid. ""It's kind of a must-win for a lot of teams this weekend, including ourselves,"" Gallagher said.