SPORTS
Rockin’ Robben leads way
Looking for a print version?
Simply choose ‘Print’ on your computer and a printer-friendly document will be generated.
Also by Kenny Vandewater:
- UW wets feet in Great Lakes state (April 27, 2007)
- Robben robs Flames with walk-off double (April 18, 2007)
- UW softball goes streaking (April 20, 2007)
- UW ends up short without Anderson (April 23, 2007)
- Olivarez's focus on hitting pays off in circle (April 17, 2007)
Related Stories:
- Vandewater - Record-breaking weekend for UW (March 19, 2007)
- Badgers douse Flames (April 18, 2007)
- Badgers deliver 1-2 punch over Hoosiers (April 17, 2007)
- Badgers make adjustments, earn series split (April 11, 2007)
- Bison win 1st game, but Badgers bite back (April 11, 2007)
by Kenny Vandewater
Monday, April 16, 2007
Behind clutch performances from Ricci Robben and Letty Olivarez, Wisconsin was able to come from behind and finish strong, winning the second game of the doubleheader 6-5, to send Purdue back to West Lafayette with a split.
Nearly perfect weather resulted in a record-breaking near-capacity crowd of 1,097 in the bleachers at Goodman Diamond, and those who stuck around for both halves of the double-dip saw Robben continue her recent hot streak at the dish.
"I was feeling good," Robben said. "I felt like I was seeing the ball a lot better than I had been the last couple games."
That much was certainly evident in her line for the day, as Robben finished the afternoon with three singles, a double and a walk and raised her batting average to a team-high .355.
"I thought [today's] were some of her best at-bats as far as the way the ball went off the bat," head coach Chandelle Schulte said. "She told me when she left that she feels like herself again."
Given that the majority of Robben's recent at-bats have come exclusively at the designated hitter spot, her lack of defensive playing time has not seemed to affect her production at the plate whatsoever. Robben says the reason her offensive numbers have continued to climb has a lot to do with keeping an even mentality.
"Before we go out on offense, I basically just picture myself hitting and stay focused on hitting most of the game."
Wisconsin catcher Joey Daniels also turned in a solid day at the plate and behind it. Daniels raised her average to .278 after collecting four hits from the leadoff spot, and in the field she managed to catch Boilermaker third baseman Ashley Hall stealing for just the sixth time in 37 chances.
In the circle, Letty Olivarez picked up her second save of the year in Game 2 but felt less than satisfied with her first outing.
"Personally, I thought I didn't do too well today," Olivarez said. "I started off really well, but [Purdue] took advantage of my mistakes. I set up changeups that did work, but they just sat there, so they took advantage of that."
Olivarez (7-6) pitched five-and-two-thirds innings on the day, allowing two earned runs on five hits.
UW's other starter, Eden Brock (11-7), finished with five runs through six innings, but due to a few defensive miscues by the Badgers, only two runs were earned.
Polito extends streak
Senior centerfielder Sam Polito extended her hitting streak to a team-high nine games Sunday, with a single in the first contest and two more in Game 2. The reigning Big Ten Player of the Week has collected 15 hits in her last 27 at-bats (.555) and her .349 average overall is third on the team.
Hoosiers come to town
For the second consecutive day, Wisconsin will take on a conference rival in a doubleheader, this time against the University of Indiana. UW will host the Hoosiers (19-21, 1-7) today for two games that were originally scheduled to be played Friday night and Saturday afternoon but were canceled due to inclement weather.
Wisconsin has won 12 of its last 16 games against Indiana, including a 5-0 shutout at the Speedline Invite in March — a game in which Robben went 4-for-4. But if the Badgers plan on continuing their recent success against the Hoosiers, they will have to neutralize their two biggest power threats.
Junior infielder Jennilee Huddleston leads Indiana at the plate with a .368 average, and also paces the squad in doubles (12), RBI's (25), and is second in home runs (6). But the majority of long balls have come off the bat of junior catcher Tory Yamaguchi, who has gone yard 11 times and only struck out 15.
In the circle, sophomore Monica Wright sports a record of 12-12 to go with an ERA of 3.08, and has tossed 17 complete games on the year.
The Badgers will open up at 11 this morning, with Game 2 to follow at approximately 1 p.m.
Add a comment
We welcome your thoughts, but please keep your feedback thoughtful, on-topic and respectful. Offensive language, personal attacks, or irrelevant comments may be deleted.
Login...
Not registered? Sign up now.
It's quick, free, and the email address you provide will not be sold or solicited.
