Wisconsin (15-5 Big Ten, 36-9 overall) achieved a number of milestones in its sweep of Indiana (3-16, 19-31) over the weekend, recording achievements on both the individual and team levels.
The Badgers dominated the Hoosiers in the first game of the series, 12-1, ending the contest in five innings due to the run rule.
Wisconsin came out blazing in the top of the first inning, scoring nine runs. Junior outfielder Mary Massei set a Badgers softball record for most hits in a season, logging her 65th during the first inning.
As if that wasn’t enough, senior first baseman Shannel Blackshear tied a program record by blasting her 30th career home run in the same inning. The game also gave head coach Yvette Healy her 100th win for the Badgers.
Junior pitcher Cassandra Darrah allowed five hits, one walk and struck out two batters.
The second game of Friday’s doubleheader was less lopsided but ended in the same result, with the Badgers winning 3-0.
Junior infielder Michelle Mueller homered in the fourth inning, her third in the last four games following consecutive home runs in UW’s series against Northwestern.
Senior pitcher Meghan McIntosh pitched a complete game with an impressive stat line, allowing three hits, no walks or runs and eight strikeouts.
Of all the records garnered Friday, a Badger softball-best 14 Big Ten season wins may be at the top, as Healy has continually stressed the importance of Wisconsin’s spot in the Big Ten standings all season long.
The third game of the series proved to be the most dramatic game of weekend. The Badgers won 5-2, coming from behind in the seventh inning.
Wisconsin failed to score in the first inning, leaving Indiana with the opportunity to capitalize right away, as the Hoosiers scored two runs in the bottom of the first inning.
The Badgers cut the lead to one in the third inning, when Blackshear scored sophomore outfielder Maria Van Abel off an RBI single.
Darrah replaced McIntosh after the top of the third inning. From then on, the Badgers dominated the Hoosiers on defense, allowing no more runs.
The score remained the same until the seventh inning, when Massei, senior outfielder Kendall Grimm and senior outfielder Whitney Massey loaded the bases for UW.
Then Blackshear came up to bat, driving a single up the middle to score two runs. Freshman infielder Katie Christner followed that up with an RBI single, which put the Badgers up 4-2.
Darrah closed out the game, finishing with just one hit and six strikeouts in five innings of work.
Wisconsin’s sweep against Indiana comes at an important time for UW as it inches itself closer to the Big Ten tournament. Before the tournament, the Badgers have one more series, a three-game home contest against Michigan State next weekend.
