The Wisconsin softball team rallied in a historic come-from-behind victory in game one of Saturday's double-header against Northwestern to edge the Wildcats 9-8 before being shutout 2-0 for the eighth time this season in game two.
The Badgers (2-4 Big Ten, 20-15 overall) were originally scheduled to play one game Saturday and one Sunday against a Northwestern team (1-3 Big Ten, 19-10 overall) who was still looking for its first Big Ten win, but with inclement weather in Sunday's forecast, both games were moved to Saturday.
Thanks to a historic six-run sixth inning, the Badgers would make the Wildcats wait at least one more game to attempt to capture their first Big Ten win of the season.
Sophomore left fielder Kendall Grimm ignited the Badgers' offense with a one-out walk in the bottom of the sixth. After three more Badgers reached safely, Northwestern made a pitching change.
Freshman Sammy Albanese entered the circle, relieving senior Jessica Smith. Even a new pitcher, however, could not contain the Badgers.
Senior utilitywoman Dana Rasmussen, who came in to pinch hit for sophomore catcher Maggie Strange, was the hero of game one. Down three runs with the bases loaded and two outs in the inning, she smashed the ball to center field. Sophomore centerfielder Kristin Scharkey made a play on the ball, but the ball hit her glove and rolled all the way to the wall.
All three runners scored, tying the game 8-8, and Rasmussen slid into third with the first base clearing triple of her career.
""I didn't think it was gone,"" Rasmussen said. ""I just thought it was solid contact. I really don't remember hitting the ball.""
Junior second baseman Jordan Skinner followed Rasmussen with a single. The ball got away from Northwestern freshman second baseman Marisa Bast and Rasmussen crossed home for the go-ahead run to put the Badgers up for the first time in the game, 9-8.
With the run, Wisconsin tied the record set back in 2004 for the biggest comeback in school history. On April 11, 2004, the Badgers rallied to beat Michigan State 11-8 after being down six runs in the fourth.
""I'm just really proud of them,"" UW head coach Yvette Healy said. ""It shows a lot of character.""
The Northwestern team hit UW starting pitcher freshman Cassandra Darrah early. The Wildcats made Darrah work as they made it through all but one batter in the rotation in the first inning. The Wildcats scored three runs in each of the first two frames.
After giving up six runs in just 1.1 innings, fellow freshman Amanda Najdek came in to relieve Darrah.
Najdek gave up two runs in 5.2 innings to keep the Wildcats at bay, en route to winning her second game of the year.
The Badgers started to inch their way back in the game before erupting in the sixth with homers in the second and fourth innings from sophomore third baseman Shannel Blackshear and junior designated hitter Karla Powell, respectively.
Blackshear's battle at the plate was especially impressive. After falling behind in the count 0-2 Blackshear fouled off pitch after pitch. Finally, on the 16th pitch of the at bat, Blackshear won the battle with a no-doubt about it home run.
""It felt amazing because I honestly hadn't even realized how many pitches I fouled off until my team told me,"" Blackshear said. ""To be honest, I am just so happy because I was doing it for my team.""
By game two, the Badgers had little left in them offensively. They were only able to muster three hits compared to the eight timely hits they managed in the first game.
However, with Najdek in the circle, the Wildcats were able to put some runs on the board thanks to five free passes issued by Najdek in the first three innings.
In the second, senior left fielder Jordan Skinner found a gap in the infield to score Bast, who reached on a walk to put the Wildcats up 1-0.
Junior first baseman Adrienne Monka scored the Wildcats' second and final run of the game after Najdek issued her third walk of the inning.
After giving up two runs in 2.2 innings, sophomore ace Meghan McIntosh came in to relieve Najdek.
In 4.1 innings of relief, McIntosh held the Wildcats offense scoreless, giving her Badgers a chance, but they were unable to strike.
Even in a game where the Badgers struggled offensively, they still gave themselves a chance by following their aggressive approach on the bases.
""People can say it's hard to stay aggressive, but it's hard not to,"" Healy said. ""You've got to look for ways to manufacture.""
With the loss, Najdek evened her record to 2-2 on the year. Albanese got the win for the Wildcats.
