After taking three out of four games on the road this weekend and winning seven of its last eight, the UW softball team (6-8 Big Ten, 20-20 overall) is peaking at the right time. With Northern Iowa visiting for a doubleheader on Wednesday and the Big Ten and NCAA tournaments looming, the Badgers are optimistic about their chances.
\We're right there, we struggled Saturday but came back strong Sunday,"" senior shortstop Kris Zacher said.
""I think we're going to keep going up from here,"" senior pitcher Katie Layne said.
Wisconsin certainly has reason to be upbeat after the last week. Getting clutch hits from almost every player on the roster, their lineup is looking more potent than ever. Led by Zacher's .407 batting average and powered by seniors Boo Gillette and Anastasia Miller's nine home runs each, pitchers are not looking forward to throwing against Wisconsin right now.
""It just goes to show that there's no weak link,"" said UW head coach Karen Gallagher. ""We have nine hitters that can potentially drive in runs. We're thrilled about that.""
The pitching has held up its end of the deal as well. With sophomore starters Eden Brock and Layne near the top of their games, the offense knows it can trust the leads they provide. The defense, seemingly the weak spot of the team, has been better lately as well.
""Our pitchers did a good job last weekend of holding people off balance,"" Gallagher said.
""I feel a lot of confidence right now, in myself and my team,"" Layne said. ""I know my offense is going to back me up and that my defense is going to back me up.""
As rare opponent Northern Iowa (8-13 Missouri Valley, 20-19) comes into town, playing Wisconsin for only the second time ever (a 7-1 loss last September), the Badgers know that they cannot let up. Although the Panthers hail from a lesser-known conference, they are riding a five-game winning streak and are not going to go down quietly.
""They're a good, competitive team,"" Gallagher said. ""Teams are getting better each year, no matter what conference they're in. They want to come in and knock off a Big Ten program, so we've got to be on top of our game, continue to play good ball.""
Wisconsin pitchers' main worry has to be senior outfielder Erin Strellner. Struggling of late, she still has a .387 average and is a formidable foe at the plate. Another concern is senior second baseman Tracy Davis, a home run threat who bats better than .300.
The Panthers staff is anchored by ace freshman Amanda Hess, who has half of Northern Iowa's wins. Last week, she allowed only three runs in twenty innings, giving her three wins and a 1.05 earned run average. A double threat, Hess also contributes on the offensive end, batting .583 last week with a home run and four runs batted in.
Although the goal is always to win, the Badgers have to be thinking about the future, as the next two weekends contain tough Big Ten battles. In addition, the Big Ten tournament is in two weeks, with the NCAA tournament following that.
""It's crunch time, we need to end strong here, end on a high note,"" Gallagher said. ""Playing your best ball at the end of the year and into the postseason, that's really key.""
""We just have to play together, that's when we've been the most successful,"" Zacher said.
The Badgers will try to maintain their winning track 3 p.m.. Wednesday at the Goodman Diamond.
