Wisconsin (11-10) split its games in day two of the Rebel Classic, defeating Valparaiso 7-5 and falling to UNLV 3-0 Saturday night in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Wisconsin jumped out to a quick 2-0 lead in game one after a two-run home run by junior first baseman Sara Novak in the first inning.
Valparaiso (2-14 overall) answered in the top of the third after a solo home run by Kaitlyn Ranieri. Later, two RBI singles would give Valparaiso the lead at 3-2.
The Badgers would tie and later take the lead after an RBI single from freshman catcher Melanie Cross. UW would then load the bases and add two more runs on back-to-back walks, pushing its lead to 5-3.
Valparaiso, however, would tie the game at five after two Badger errors in the fifth inning.
Back-to-back doubles in the sixth inning by junior right fielder Chloe Miller and Novak gave Wisconsin the lead for good at 7-5.
Junior pitcher Kirsten Stevens started for the Badgers, but it was Taylor-Paige Stewart (W, 7-5) who came in for the last two and 2/3 innings and shut down Valparaiso, allowing only two hits and two walks, while striking out four in the victory.
Novak led the Badgers’ offensive attack, with two hits and three RBIs in the game. Senior left fielder Katie Christner also added two hits and a stolen base for UW.
Game two featured a pitchers duel against UNLV, as the first two innings saw a combined two hits between the two teams.
UNLV (13-10 overall) would finally break through and take a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the third inning.
However, UW could not get the bats going. UNLV pitcher Kwyn Cooper (W) quieted the Badgers offense, allowing only three hits and two walks in the complete-game shutout.
UNLV would seal the victory with a pinch-hit two-run home run by Chrissi Omalza in the sixth inning.
Stewart (L, 7-6) picked up the loss for UW, allowing three runs on eight hits, while striking out one in the complete game.
Senior shortstop Ashley Van Zeeland, freshman left fielder Kelly Welsh and Novak picked up the only hits for the Badgers.
UW finishes play in the Rebel Classic Sunday against Utah State at 11:30 a.m. and Santa Clara at 1:15 p.m.
