Even after a rough 0-6 conference start, spirits remain high for the Wisconsin Badgers women's softball team as they head into another Big Ten doubleheader Wednesday against the Iowa Hawkeyes.
Iowa is ranked second in the Big Ten, while Wisconsin sits at the bottom of the standings, still hoping to achieve its first win in conference play. The team does not wallow in the results of past games, however, preferring to treat each game as a new start.
Senior pitcher Letty Olivarez said she is trying to stay optimistic going into the games against the Hawkeyes.
""Every game is different. We don't worry about our record,"" Olivarez said.
She added that the home-field advantage against the Hawkeyes also brings an energetic confidence to the Badgers.
""We know we're good. We just have to remind ourselves that this is our field,"" Olivarez said.
Junior outfielder and UW career stolen base record-holder Jennifer Krueger assured that in order for the Badgers to pull out a win against the Hawkeyes, the team needs to ""step up more defensively and hit the ball offensively.""
""We just have to bring our A-game,"" she said.
As for offensive strategy, Wisconsin has been building up the ability to hit the gaps. Krueger said that she has been working on a soft slap and trying to get the high hop out of the infield.
""I just have to get it to the gaps, get on base and let my speed take it from there,"" she said. ""I like to get on for the three, four and five hitters, so I'm in running position for them.""
Defensively, the Badgers have been practicing various situations for bunting and other fielding drills.
""I've been going through the Hawkeye lineup to get to know the batters,"" Olivarez said about her preparation for the Iowa game. ""They're good hitters.""
The Badger defense knows to be prepared for her to throw the ball hard and outside.
One big difference this year for the Badgers is the number of freshmen on the team. Eight first-year players forced Wisconsin to adjust, build the team back together at the start of the season and learn how to play successfully given all of the new faces.
""We just have to keep our hearts in the game,"" Olivarez said.
Despite failing to defeat conference opponent so far this season, the Badgers have had success on some parts of their schedule outside of the Big Ten. Most recently, Wisconsin dominated South Dakota State in games sandwiched around a pair of losses to Penn State.
The Badgers outscored the Jackrabbits 18-3 in their two games and are hoping to carry the momentum from that series over to their games against Iowa. Wisconsin will take on the Hawkeyes in a doubleheader at Goodman Diamond, with the first game starting at 4 p.m. and the second at 6.
