Wisconsin Badger softball fail to advance from the NCAA Regional
It was not a broken axle, disease, or un-swimmable oxen, but the Oregon Trail was just as cruel to Wisconsin Badger softball.
The Badgers suffered pair of defeats to the host Oregon Ducks in the NCAA Regional ending its 2016-2017 season in Eugene, Oregon. Wisconsin lost to Oregon in heartbreaking fashion on Saturday before getting boat-raced on Sunday evening ending its chances at forcing a decisive rubber game to settle the Regional.
The NCAA Regional is a double elimination format. After defeating Missouri on Friday, The Badgers had a 5-3 lead and #3 Oregon down to its last out. But the Ducks strung together three consecutive base hits to tie the game. A bad call in extras proved determinative as Oregon won 6-5 to put Wisconsin in a elimination game against the University of Illinois-Chicago Flames.
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Wisconsin beat UIC 2-0 to save its season thanks to a strong pitching performance from Kirsten Stevens. The senior from Crystal Lake, Illinois, pitched a complete game, striking out eight and walking none. The Flames had two runners in scoring position in the top of the 7th before Stevens recorded a strikeout to secure the win.
The Badgers needed a win on Saturday against Oregon to force a replay for the Regional Championship. Instead, a 4-run 1st put the Badgers in a hole they could not escape. Oregon plated five more in the 4th inning ending the game after five innings thanks to the mercy rule.
What an unbelievable and special season.
— Wisconsin Softball (@BadgerSoftball) May 22, 2017
So proud of everything this team accomplished. #Badgers || #OnWisconsin pic.twitter.com/XamQiuOb0X
The Badgers move to 7-12 all-time in its six NCAA Tournament appearances. Wisconsin has never advanced beyond the Regional stage.
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The Badgers will have to replace four seniors including C Chloe Miller and 3B Sara Novak. Miller led Bucky in batting average, runs, hits, RBIs, HR, total bases, slugging, and on-base percentage. Novak finished 4th in batting average and hits, 5th in RBIs and total bases, and 3rd in on base percentage.
Wisconsin finishes the season 35-17 (11-11 in conference play) the 3rd highest win total in program history. The 11 Big Ten wins is tied for 4th in program history.