Wisconsin (8-8 overall) split its two games in day one of the Judi Garman Classic, defeating California State Fullerton 3-2 and falling to No. 14 Arizona State 4-1 in Fullerton, Calif., Friday evening.
UW jumped out to a quick 1-0 lead on a first inning home run by sophomore third baseman Kelsey Jenkins.
A Jenkins walk and stolen base in the fourth inning, followed by an RBI double to left-center by sophomore Samantha Arents doubled the Badgers lead to 2-0.
Junior pitcher Taylor-Paige Stewart kept Cal State-Fullerton (11-7) in check through five innings. However, the Titans broke through in the bottom of the sixth inning and tie the game at two on a two-run double by Lexi Gonzalez.
Junior first baseman Sara Novak gave the Badgers the lead for good in the seventh inning on a solo home run. Stewart came in and shut down the Titans in the bottom of the inning to secure the victory.
Stewart (5-4) earned the win, allowing two runs on five hits over seven innings.
In game two, Arizona State (16-4) jumped out to a quick 3-0 lead in the first inning, thanks in part to a fielding error by junior shortstop Ashley Van Zeeland.
UW put together a threat in the second inning after Arents singled and Novak reached on an error. However, back-to-back strikeouts ended the inning.
A fifth-inning RBI double by Nikki Girard would push Arizona State’s lead to 4-0.
Wisconsin did not go quiet in the sixth inning. A lead-off triple by Miller, followed by a sacrifice-fly by freshman catcher Melanie Cross gave UW its lone run. Two more singles by Novak and freshman second baseman Kelly Walsh had the Badgers poised to tie the game, however, both would be left on base.
Wisconsin had nine hits, two each from Jenkins and Van Zeeland, but it left nine runners on base.
ASU’s Dale Ryndak earned her sixth win, allowing only one run and seven hits over six innings, while striking out five Badgers.
Junior pitcher Kristen Stewart (3-4) picked up a tough loss allowing four runs (three unearned) and six hits over six innings, while striking out five.
Wisconsin continues play in the Judi Garman Classic Saturday against Oregon State at 2 p.m. and Fresno State at 9:30 p.m.
