(UW ATHLETICS) MADISON – Sophomore Kaylie Whidden of the Wisconsin softball team, blasted a three-run home run to secure Wisconsin’s first series win over Michigan since the 2014 season, completing a dramatic 14-12 victory on Sunday afternoon at Goodman Diamond.
The Badgers (24-16, 9-9 B1G) outlasted the Wolverines (28-17, 7-11 B1G) in a back-and-forth affair, as Whidden’s first-career three-run home run in the seventh inning ultimately capped off an entertaining weekend in Madison.
UW plated two runs right away in Sunday’s contest, as Whidden and senior Rylie Crane each tallied an RBI in the second frame to make it 2-0.
Michigan went on to score the next eight runs, utilizing a three-run fourth and a four-run fifth to take an 8-2 advantage into the bottom half of the fifth.
The Badgers remained resilient, scoring seven runs while sending 13 batters to the plate to forge a comeback. Junior Makenzie Foster and Crane each provided RBI base hits in the process, cutting the deficit to 8-6. The top of the order delivered immediately, as senior Emily Bojan earned a bases-loaded walk, while junior Hilary Blomberg continued her strong weekend with a two-RBI single to the outfield—giving the Badgers the lead back at 9-8.
UW tacked on a pair in the bottom half of the sixth after sophomore Jordan Felci posted a scoreless inning versus the Wolverines in the circle. Whidden barreled a double down the left field line to drive in Foster, and came around to score on a sacrifice fly from Bojan.
Michigan once again provided a response, as All-American Lauren Putz launched a go-ahead three-run home run to right field to give the Wolverines a 12-11 lead.
The offense for UW continued to be relentless, as the unit racked up 10 hits, nine walks and four hit by pitches. It was more of the same in the bottom of the seventh, as sophomore Kendra Lewis began the frame with a leadoff walk. After a fielder’s choice, junior Danielle Lucey tallied an infield hit to put the game-winning run at the plate.
Whidden stepped up in the clutch, racking up her second home run of the season to put away the Wolverines and complete UW’s second comeback of the afternoon.
Batting Cleanup:
- Wisconsin earned its first series win over Michigan since the 2014 season. With the victory on Sunday, the Badgers secured their first-ever series win against the Wolverines at Goodman Diamond, too.
- UW plated seven runs in the fifth inning, good for the second-most scored in that frame in program history. The Badgers last did so against Purdue last year on March 21, 2025.
- In three of their last four wins, the Badgers have erased six-run deficits, most recently doing so today while down 8-2 against the Wolverines.
- The Badgers’ offense racked up season-highs for walks in a game (9) and hit by pitches (4).
- Kaylie Whidden put together a flawless showing on the offensive showing, going 2-for-2 with a career-best five RBI and three runs scored. The sophomore hit her first career walk-off home run, becoming just the 10th Badger in program history to hit a walk-off home run.
- Rylie Crane earned her first RBI of the season in the comeback victory, tying a career-best with three in a single game. The Tuscon, Ariz. native finished 1-for-1 with a pair of walks and a sacrifice fly from the bottom of the order.
- Hilary Blomberg finished 1-for-4 with two RBI, tallying her 29th multi-RBI game in her career, good for the seventh-most in program history. The junior enters the last two weeks of the season with 47 RBI under her belt, the sixth-most turned in by a Badger in program history. Kayla Konwent finished in 2019 with 53.
- Emily Bojan tallied two RBI in a 1-for-2 showing from the leadoff spot.
- Makenzie Foster tied a career-best for most runs scored in a single game, crossing home plate three times in Sunday’s win.
- Jordan Felci notched her first win of the season and her third career Big Ten victory.
Up Next: The Badgers return to non-conference action to kick off the week, welcoming St. Thomas (MN) to Goodman Diamond for a doubleheader on Tuesday, April 21, beginning at 2:00 p.m. CT. Each game will be streamed on B1G+.
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