Last Sunday’s rainout against Indiana might have serious postseason implications for the Wisconsin softball team. The Badgers, 7-5 in the Big Ten, 26-16 overall, will not make the games up, leaving the team without two possible victories.
The series against Indiana, 0-14 in the Big Ten, would have been a good opportunity to gain some ground in the standings. The games could turn out to be crucial in a tight conference race.
“We lose the games and just hope it doesn’t hurt us come tournament time,” said head coach Karen Gallagher.
Moderate rain and temperatures in the 30s were enough to cause the cancellation.
“[That weather] is just too hard to play in,” Gallagher said. “I don’t want to risk an injury at this point.”
Four of the five teams ahead of or tied with the Badgers have already defeated the Hoosiers twice, including this season’s final three opponents. The only team to not have played the Hoosiers yet ahead of the Badges is first-place Ohio State, 13-3 in conference. Currently, the Badgers are tied for fifth place with Minnesota at 7-5.
This weekend, Wisconsin takes on the two teams just in front of it in the standings, Iowa and Northwestern. The Hawkeyes are in third place at 9-4 and Northwestern is fourth at 9-5.
“I think this weekend is probably the biggest weekend of our year,” Gallagher said.
Not rookie numbers:
Kristin Zacher does not play like a freshman.
She leads or is tied for the team lead in five major offensive categories from her position as the third batter in the Badger lineup. Through 42 games, all of which she has started, Zacher has 33 hits and 16 RBIs, tied for the team-high in both categories.
Zacher also has four homeruns, three triples and 19 runs scored. In addition, she has stolen six bases in six attempts. As the shortstop, Zacher also plays the most important infield position.
Bench makes impact:
Reserves saw plenty of action against UW-Green Bay Tuesday in Wisconsin’s doubleheader. The Badgers split the two games with the Phoenix, now 6-30 overall.
Rightfielder Michelle Skarr came into the games with only three at bats the entire season. When the doubleheader was over, she had that many hits.
Skarr went 3-6 with 3 RBIs and one run scored against the Phoenix. Her big hit came in the first game, a 4-1 Badger victory. Skarr insured UW’s victory with a two-run homerun to centerfield in the top of the sixth inning.
The sophomore also went 2-3 in the second game with one RBI. She drove in the first run of that game in the top of the sixth with a single to right field. The Badgers had been held scoreless up until that point.
Reserve second baseman Renee Benell went 1-2 with an RBI in the second game. In the sixth inning she drove in the second run of the game on a bases-loaded single to right field. It was her third hit of the year. Designated hitter Karen Michel got her first hit of the season in the first game, going 1-2.
