(UW ATHLETICS) MADISON – The Wisconsin softball team secured its first win over Michigan since 2017, emerging victorious in game two on Saturday with a 6-3 final score after dropping game one earlier in the afternoon, 7-4.
Junior Hilary Blomberg was the difference-maker at the plate for the Badgers (23-16, 8-9 B1G) in game two versus the Wolverines (28-16, 7-10 B1G), going 2-for-4 with a team-high three RBI. The Verona, Wis. native blasted two home runs on the day, entering Sunday’s rubber match with 33 under her belt, good for the second-most in program history.
GAME ONE
The Badgers and the Wolverines resumed their game on Saturday afternoon, as Michigan tacked on four runs in the latter half of the game to pull away and hand UW its fourth straight loss.
On Friday, the Wolverines got off to a quick start with three runs in the first inning behind a home run from Ella Stephenson.
UW provided a quick response, as senior Emily Bojan sparked the offense with a leadoff homer in the bottom of the first. Sophomore Kaylie Whidden continued to produce at a high clip, as the right-handed batter barreled a double into the gap with the bases loaded—tying the game at 3-3.
Due to inclement weather, Friday’s game was suspended to Saturday while in the third inning. Michigan posted two runs right away to kick off the day, including a bases-loaded walk to make it 5-3.
Blomberg hit her first home run of the series in the fifth, sending a pitch to the opposite field to cut the deficit to 5-4. The Wolverines continued to stay hot offensively, plating a run in both the sixth and seventh inning to put away the Badgers in game one with a final score of 7-4.
Batting Cleanup:
- Michigan secured its 14th consecutive win over the Badgers in game one of the series.
- UW’s fourth loss in a row is its longest losing streak of the season.
- Emily Bojan blasted her fifth HR of the year from the leadoff spot. The Chicago native hit five home runs in a single season last year, matching a season-best.
- Hilary Blomberg hit her 13th home run of the season and the 32nd of her career in a 1-for-3 performance.
- Kaylie Whidden finished 2-for-3 with a pair of RBI, racking up a double and a pair of RBI.
GAME TWO
Wisconsin brought an answer in game two of the series, tallying five runs in the first two innings of play to pull away from Michigan and set up a rubber match for Sunday.
After a leadoff base hit turned in by Bojan, Blomberg followed it up with one of her deepest home runs of the year—racking up her second of the day to put UW up 2-0.
In the second, the Badgers had five consecutive batters reach base to extend the advantage to 5-0, highlighted by an RBI single off of Blomberg’s bat.
Junior Makenzie Foster delivered in the clutch in the fourth to make it 6-0, driving in one more run after the Badgers’ loaded the bases.
Freshman Berritt Herr got off to a quality start for UW in the circle, taming the Wolverines’ on the offensive end through the first five innings of the game. The right-hander ran into some trouble in the sixth, as sophomore Kendra Lewis came on and earned a two-inning save.
Lewis held Michigan to just three runs in the fifth inning, allowing zero hits while scattering a walk. The Milan, Ill. native secured a strikeout to end the game—giving Wisconsin its second win over Michigan at Goodman Diamond in program history.
Batting Cleanup:
- The Badgers earned their first win over Michigan since the 2017 season, snapping a 14-game losing streak. Saturday’s game marked the second win UW has earned over the Wolverines at Goodman Diamond in 28 chances.
- Wisconsin’s 14 hits are good for a season-best, marking the most in a single game since they had 15 versus St. Thomas (MN) on April 8, 2025.
- UW stranded 12 runners on base in the latter half of the doubleheader on Saturday.
- Hilary Blomberg provided a 2-for-4 showing with three RBI, blasting her second home run of the series in the process. The junior is now just 10 home runs away from tying former UW standout Kayla Konwent for most in a career as a Badger.
- Kendra Lewis did it all in game two, going 3-for-3 at the plate while securing a two-inning save in the circle. The Milan, Ill. native racked up three hits in a single game for the third time this year, driving in one. The right-hander notched her second career save in Saturday’s contest, doing so against Maryland as well on March 28.
- Emily Bojan’s tied a season-best with three hits in a single game, as she last did so against Iowa State back on Feb. 15.
- Berritt Herr notched her 10th win of the season, marking the seventh-most turned in by a freshman in UW history. The Ashwaubenon, Wis. native is one of seven individuals in program history to have 10 or more wins in their freshman year.
- Alivia Bark finished 1-for-3 with a double, the 33rd of her career. The junior is now tied for 10th all-time for most doubles in a career—matching Boo Gillette (2002-05). Chloe Miller (2014-17) leads the program at 56.
- Hannah Conger provided her seventh multi-hit game of the season with a 2-for-4 showing the nine-spot in the lineup.
Up Next: The Badgers and the Wolverines will wrap up their series Sunday as game three is scheduled for noon at Goodman Diamond. The rubber match will be streamed on B1G+.
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