Wisconsin will face the New Mexico Lobos, Drake Bulldogs and Texas Tech Red Raiders when they head to Albuquerque this weekend
The Wisconsin softball team will bring its two-game winning streak to Albuquerque this weekend for the 2009 New Mexico Invitational at the University of New Mexico.
In addition to the New Mexico Lobos, Wisconsin will take on the Drake Bulldogs and the Texas Tech Red Raiders. Despite the winning streak, the Badgers post a worse record than Drake (4-1-0) and New Mexico (3-5-0). Wisconsin and Texas Tech have identical records at 2-6-0.
New Mexico has had a rocky start to the 2009 season with blowout victories and crushing one-run losses. The Lobos won two of five games in the Getterman Classic tournament in Waco, Texas and have yet to win two straight games this season. Wisconsin will look to capitalize off of New Mexico's inconsistency and keep the Lobos' bats quiet.
Although New Mexico struggled last weekend, the Lobos have home-field advantage in the tournament and bring a solid offense to the plate. Junior Katie Gilmore and senior Samantha Hughes produced clutch hits in the Lobos' two victories in Waco, and Badger pitching will look to prevent repeat performances from Gilmore and Hughes.
Texas Tech stumbles into the tournament on a six-game losing streak after starting the season 2-0. The Red Raiders recently lost all four of their games in the Florida Lipton Invitational in Gainesville, Fla., including a one-sided 11-0 affair with the host Gators. Opponents outscored Texas Tech 27-5 during the tournament.
Texas Tech brings a young team to the New Mexico Invitational, including nine underclassmen as well as an interim head coach only eight games into the season.
Drake poses the toughest challenge for Wisconsin. The Bulldogs started their season last weekend in the Metrodome Classic tournament in Minneapolis, winning four of five games, including an eight-inning nail-biter against Minnesota 2-1.
Drake also brings a youthful team to the tournament, with nine underclassmen, including sophomores Brynne Dordel and Erin Mollohan. The duo was named to the All-Tournament team for the Metrodome Classic and will pose a challenge for Wisconsin pitching.
Despite the strong hitters they will face, Badgers' hurlers will look to continue their hot streak over the weekend. Wisconsin pitching is largely responsible for the team's current winning streak. Junior Letty Olivarez and senior Leah Vanevenhoven produced solid pitching performances in the Bama Bash tournament in Tuscaloosa, Ala.. last weekend. The duo managed to shut down the offenses of East Carolina and Notre Dame on the final two days of the tournament.
Olivarez and Vanevenhoven have received much attention for their pitching, but if Wisconsin wants to keep its winning streak intact, other players must establish the Badgers' offense. Seniors Nichole Whaley and Theresa Boruta came up with clutch hits during the Bama Bash tournament. However, in the two victories in Tuscaloosa, the Badgers' 1-4 hitters went a mere 3-24 at the plate.
Tournament play begins this Friday, Feb. 20, with Wisconsin taking on Texas Tech and New Mexico. The Badgers face off against Drake Saturday, followed by a rematch with Texas Tech. Wisconsin closes the tournament out Sunday with game two against Drake.
