(UW ATHLETICS) TEMPE, AZ – The Wisconsin softball team split its doubleheader in Arizona on Saturday, first earning a victory over CSU Bakersfield before falling in run-rule fashion to No. 24/23 Arizona State in game two.
Junior Hilary Blomberg continued to produce at the plate after a strong showing yesterday, as the catcher tallied the 25th home run of her career against the Sun Devils, fresh off of a multi-hit performance versus the Roadrunners.
GAME ONE
The Badgers put together another big inning on the offensive end, scoring five runs in the second frame. That output marked the fifth time this season where UW posted five or more runs in a single inning.
Senior Emily Bojan and junior Hilary Blomberg each drove in a pair during the frame. Bojan extended her on-base streak to 17 games with a two-RBI double to break the game open—giving the Badgers a 3-0 advantage. While still threatening, Blomberg smacked a single to the outfield to drive in two more—securing her 40th career multi-hit game.
The Roadrunners, after being shut down through a majority of the game, tallied two runs with the bases loaded on a single in the sixth inning to make it 5-2.
Sophomore Hannah Conger enjoyed a strong day at the plate, capping it off with an RBI double in the sixth inning to add some insurance after sophomore Kaylie Whidden’s first career collegiate hit.
In the circle, after positive showings from sophomores Kendra Lewis and Jordan Felci, left-hander Sydney Vitangcol closed it out for the Badgers to secure their first win of the weekend. The southpaw made her longest appearance of her collegiate career, stepping up in the last three innings and earning a trio of strikeouts. Lewis improved to 3-1 on the season.
Batting Cleanup:
- Emily Bojan reached base for the 17th consecutive game, which ties her for the 14th-longest on-base streak in program history. Kayla Konwent was the last Badger to eclipse that mark, as the former UW standout reached base in 22-straight games in 2023.
- Hilary Blomberg earned her ninth multi-hit game of the season and the 40th of her career in a 2-for-4 performance.
- Alivia Bark finished at a 2-for-3 clip, tallying her sixth multi-hit game of the year.
- Hannah Conger was a perfect 2-for-2 from the bottom of the order, doubling and driving in a run. Conger’s third double surpasses her total from last year, where she finished with two.
- Kaylie Whidden recorded the first hit of her collegiate career.
- The Badgers’ offense posted double-digit hits for the 10th time this season.
- Sydney Vitangcol made her longest relief appearance of the season, tossing three innings to close out the win—punching out three batters.
GAME TWO
No. 24/23 Arizona State overwhelmed on the offensive end, as the Badgers fell in run-rule fashion for the first time this year with a 15-7 final in five innings of play.
Wisconsin got off to a fast start to take an early lead, as junior Alivia Bark launched a line drive to the gap, good for her second double of the day and two RBI. The Sun Devils escaped the jam in the first with a double play, trailing 2-0.
Arizona State turned in four extra base hits, including three home runs in Saturday afternoon’s matchup—hitting all three of them within the first two frames of the ballgame. The Sun Devils posted a combined 11 runs through two innings of play, plating five in the first and six in the second.
The Badgers provided a response in the fourth, tallying four runs via the long ball. Junior Hilary Blomberg earned the 25th home run of her career and her third of the weekend, barreling them all versus ranked foes. Wisconsin continued to threaten, as outfielder Danielle Lucey hit her first homer of the season, a three-run blast to slice the deficit 13-7.
After a scoreless top half of the fifth for the Badgers, Arizona State loaded the bases and walked it off with a two-RBI single to earn their 17th win of the season.
Batting Cleanup:
- With her solo shot in the fourth, Hilary Blomberg is now tied for fifth place all-time in program history for most career home runs with 25. Blomberg becomes just the seventh Badger to reach that milestone, as she is now tied with Stephanie Peace (2011-14) and Taylor Johnson (2018-20) at 25.
- Emily Bojan has reached base in every game this year, moving her up to No. 13 all-time in program history for longest on-base streak at 18. Bojan has now matched Kris Zacher (2005).
- Kendra Lewis hit her second home run of the year in a 3-for-3 showing, good for a season-high in hits.
- Danielle Lucey launched her first homer of the year, driving in three runs for the third time this season.
- Alivia Bark finished 1-for-1 with a double and two RBIs. Bark is now tied for the most doubles on the team with six, matching Emily Bojan’s totals through 18 games.
Up Next: The Badgers will complete their weekend in Arizona with one game on Sunday, as they are slated to take on UNLV at 11:00 a.m. CT at Farrington Stadium in Tempe.
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