While the weekend weather was ideal, the outcome on the softball diamond was far from it for the Wisconsin Badgers (24-15, 5-7 Big Ten) after getting swept by No. 8 Northwestern (35-10, 10-3 Big Ten). The Badgers lost 2-1 in a pitcher's duel on Friday and 6-2 on Saturday.

Saturday's game was senior day, as the team's five seniors played their last game at Goodman Diamond.

"It felt great, especially with the crowd out there," senior infielder Athena Vasquez said. "Having all our parents here walking us out, it was a really nice day. Even with the loss, it was still nice."

The Wildcats, however, didn't exactly give the seniors the send-off they were hoping for.

Senior pitcher Eden Brock got the nod Saturday after pitching a three hitter in Friday's loss.

Brock's home finale started well, as she allowed just one hit in the first two innings. Northwestern would get on the board in the third inning, however, when leadoff hitter Darcy Sengewald started with a single up the middle and was moved to second on a sacrifice bunt. She eventually came in to score on a double by Tammy Williams to left that carried over UW leftfielder Valyncia Raphael's head.

The fourth inning turned ugly for Brock and the Badgers, as Northwestern put five more runs on the scoreboard and had 11 batters come to the plate in the inning.

After Erin Dyer dropped a hit into center to lead off the fourth, Jessica Rigas reached on a costly error by third baseman Theresa Boruta. Rigas then moved to second on a sacrifice bunt and scored on a base hit by Dyer's younger sister Kelly.

In what proved to be the turning point in the game, Sengewald hit a two-out single to center fielder Sam Polito. The Badgers outfielder then fired the ball into home, as Kelly Dyer rounded third and looked to score. With catcher Joey Daniels blocking the plate, Polito's throw was in time for Daniels to tag Dyer, but the umpire ruled interference on the play, allowing the run to count.

Freshman Letty Olivarez came in to relieve Brock but gave up a two-run home run to Katie Logan on her first pitch. Olivarez left the game without recording an out and allowed two runs, neither of which was earned.

Leah Vanevenhoven replaced Olivarez and was finally able to retire Northwestern, but not after they put up five runs in the inning on four hits.

The Badgers finally got their first run in the fifth, as Katie Soderberg, who was pinch running for senior Stephanie Chinn, crossed home plate on a single up the middle by Vasquez. With UW threatening to tack on a few more runs with the bases loaded, Northwestern's Lauren Delaney retired the next two Badgers to end the inning.

Wisconsin would add just one more run in the seventh, as Vasquez recorded her second RBI of the day, driving in Polito.

"I just went out there swinging," Vasquez said. "I was just wanting to see the ball and hit the ball."

Vasquez and Polito were two bright spots on Saturday, as both recorded two hits on the day for the Badgers. Polito extended her hitting streak to 14 games, which ties her for the school record.

"I thought that we battled back and forth," UW head coach Chandelle Schulte said. "Our seniors played very well today. … I was just happy for them. They did a nice job."

On Friday, the Badger bats couldn't produce enough run support for Brock in the 2-1 defeat.

Both teams mustered just three hits apiece, with Vasquez, Polito, and Alexis Garcia reaching base for UW.

Northwestern got on top when Kelly Dyer reached on an infield single. She then advanced to second on a grounder and stole third base, eventually being driven in by Williams.

Wisconsin came back to tie it when Vasquez scored on an error by the shortstop Williams. Her throw was wide as she tried to convert a double play, allowing Vasquez to come home.

The Wildcats scored again in the sixth, which would prove to be the game winner. Pinch runner Ashley Lafever scored on a single to the left side by Rigas, putting NU up 2-1.

With the two losses on the weekend, Brock moved to 13-9 on the year. She struck out six Northwestern batters on Friday, but failed to record a strikeout in Saturday's contest. Eileen Canney, who pitched for the Wildcats on Friday, fanned 12 Badgers while only walking one.

Wisconsin now travels on the road for their final eight games of the regular season. Next up will be UW-Green Bay in a doubleheader Tuesday.