Sports: Softball
Softball team’s 5 runs in 2nd game most since putting up 11 against Green Bay; illegal pitch in 11th leads to game-winner
KARI FISCHER/Herald photo
Leah Vanevenhoven pitched all 11 innings in the second leg of UW’s doubleheader against OSU.
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Also by Adam Holt:
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While still a work in progress, the University of Wisconsin softball team’s offense managed to look alive in its series against Ohio State this weekend.
The five runs the Badgers scored in the second game matched the total they had scored in their previous nine games combined. UW also tallied 14 hits and drew seven walks in the series.
UW shortstop Katie Soderberg entered the doubleheader hitting just .115 but hit a bases-clearing double to give Wisconsin a 3-0 lead in the second game.
“It’s nice when anybody on our team starts with some big momentum. I think it’s something that can turn the game around,” Soderberg said of her hit.
She finished the game 2-for-4 with four RBIs.
Though UW was able to finally score some runs, it was shut out in the first game. Wisconsin had its chances to score, but inability to hit in the clutch doomed the Badgers early in the game.
The Badgers had the bases loaded with one out in the second, but Valyncia Raphael struck out swinging and Jen Krueger grounded out to second to end the inning. In total, UW finished the first game with 12 men left on base and had 16 total baserunners.
Perhaps the most encouraging aspect of Wisconsin’s small offensive revival was the quality of the pitching it came against. OSU pitcher Kim Reeder lowered her ERA to 1.22 after the series, while second game starter Lindsay Bodeker entered her start with a 1.96 mark.
Wisconsin’s five runs in the second game were the most they had scored since putting up 11 against Green Bay April 1. It also marked the first time since April 4 the Badgers scored in multiple innings. Soderberg thinks Saturday’s performance was beneficial for the rest of the season.
“I think we can build off this,” Soderberg said. “It’s definitely a learning experience, but our team felt different today. We came out differently in the second game.”
Not an illegal pitch
Though the Badgers usually have nobody to blame but themselves for a loss, the officials could get some of the credit in Saturday’s 11 inning loss.
With one out in the top of the eleventh inning and OSU’s Courtney Pruner on first, UW pitcher Leah Vanevenhoven was called for an illegal pitch. The balk moved Pruner to second, where she scored the game winning run on Rebecca Schultz’s two out single.
“I guess I licked my fingers and didn’t wipe it off,” Vanevenhoven said of the illegal pitch.
NCAA softball rules state that any foreign substances applied to the hands or fingers must be wiped off before touching the ball. If that procedure is not followed, an illegal pitch is issued.
However, though Vanevenhoven licked her fingers, she wiped them off before touching the ball.
Replays clearly show she rubbed her fingers on her pants before the pitch.
“We can’t catch a break, talking about the plays that were close, none of them went our way,” Schulte said. “They were all bad calls. Even the illegal pitch.”
The call was reminiscent of UW’s game against Illinois earlier this month. UW’s Alexis Garcia made a great play to throw the ball home to catcher Dana Rasmussen where it appeared she applied the tag to the Illini runner. Despite Rasmussen blocking off the plate and clearly making the tag before the runner could touch home, the umpire called her safe. That ended up being the deciding run in a 3-2 loss.
Though UW put itself into its situation by allowing OSU to score four runs to tie the game in the seventh inning, Vanevenhoven said the call made the loss a little tougher to take.
“It just made everything that much worse, but I got out of it,” Vanevenhoven said. “It’s a shame we couldn’t come away with a win.”
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Great game girls - lousy call ump!!!! I know it was cold and late but if you don’t want to work pass the game on to another umpire who does.
Katie - way to step up when you need it…
Nice game Leah - Coach had to be considering a change in the 7th but you really bucked up and stuck in there for 11 - tough loss but great effort to you and all the girls.
Coach Schulte - just a thought- not sure how you and the umpires converse but I would consider a box of donuts before the next games. Maybe before arguing the call - ask about the family and really let the umpires know you care about them.
Are these umpires local Wisconsin rec ball umpires? Every team gets a bad call now and again - as did Ohio State with the player ejection but it appears the umpires come into Wisconsin games predetermined. Does the UIC ever review the tapes?