The Badgers will drop the first two games of the 2023 season

Box Points 1 | Box score 2

PUERTO VALARTA, Mexico. – The Wisconsin softball team battled hard in its first two games of the 2023 season at the Puerto Vallarta College Challenge, falling to California Baptist 2-0 in the first game and BYU 1-0 in the second.

California Baptist

It was a scoreless game for both teams through the first four innings as tough defense and great pitching controlled the pace. Senior Tessa Magnanimous started in the circle for Wisconsin and went 6.2 innings on the day. In those innings, Maganimo struck out three batters and allowed just four hits, keeping the game scoreless through four innings.

Things started to happen in the top of the fifth when the Lancers put runners on first and second base. of Wisconsin Skylar Sirdashney however, was ready for action when the junior 3rd baseman dove into a diving and throwing double play at first. However, when the ball was dropped, the Lancers took advantage of advanced runners and scored twice in the same inning.

Katie Linkletter, earning her first significant playing time as a redshirt freshman, made two spectacular catches to keep the score close throughout the game. However, despite a tough defense and great pitching, Wisconsin struggled at the plate.

The Badgers were unable to muster a hit through seven innings as they scattered five runners on base with walks and hit batters.

Maddie Schwartz came on to close the game and pitched 1.1 innings while facing six batters. Despite Schwartz not giving up a hit or a run, the Badgers fell to CBU 0-2 in their first game so far.

BYU

Wisconsin looked to bounce back from a previous loss in the second game of the Puerto Vallarta Challenge against Birmingham Young University, but they fell short again 1-0.

In the first inning, the Cougars collected three hits, leading to the game’s only run. However, Kate Keller answered right back in the bottom of the inning, doubling over the fence for his first hit as a Badger. Keller was later stranded at second. The top of the line-up went 1-3 Sklyar Sirdashney and Kayla’s convention each added a hit throughout seven innings alongside Keller.

Although Maddie Schwartz came out on the losing side, the fifth-year senior giving up just one run and three hits, all coming in the first inning. Schwartz threw three hits and just three walks while facing 26 batters.

The Badgers are back in action tomorrow at 12:30 PM ET against the No. 24 Oregon Ducks.