Badgers softball falls in Big Ten semifinals, awaits NCAA tournament bid

(UW ATHLETICS) COLLEGE PARK, MARYLAND –  The Wisconsin softball team fell in the Big Ten Tournament Semifinals to No. 8 UCLA with a final score of 19-5, allowing the second-most runs in a single game in program history. 

The Badgers’ (32-19) pitching staff allowed 15 hits on the night, only turning in seven as an offensive unit. 

The Bruins (47-7) answered the call right away in the first inning, plating six runs with the help of a grand slam from Soo-Jin Berry. 

UW provided an answer in the top half of the second, creating some chaos on the basepaths to score a pair. Senior Rylie Crane took advantage of a throwing error with two runners on base, allowing junior Alivia Bark to score after her leadoff double. Junior Hilary Blomberg followed it up by floating a sacrifice fly to the outfield, cutting the deficit to 6-2. 

UCLA poured on four runs in the third and eight runs in the fourth—expanding its lead to 19-3 after four innings of play.

Sophomores Hannah Conger and Kendra Lewis each tallied a home run late, but unfortunately for the Badgers, it was not enough on Friday night. 

Batting Cleanup:

• Wisconsin’s pitching staff allowed a season-high 19 runs against UCLA. 19 runs is tied for the second-most given up in a single game, as they allowed 21 against UCF back in 2024.
• Hannah Conger became just the fourth player in program history to hit two or more home runs at the Big Ten Tournament, joining Taylor Johnson (2019), Hilary Blomberg (2024) and Jaclyn Showalter (2026) as the other Badgers to do so.
• Kendra Lewis earned her sixth home run of the year, going 2-for-3 with a pair of RBI. The Milan, Ill. native notched her 14th multi-hit game of the season as well.
• Alivia Bark went 2-for-3 with a double and a run scored on Friday night, accumulating her 14th multi-hit game of the season.
• Emily Bojan finished 2-for-3 from the leadoff spot, good for her 14th multi-hit performance of the year.
• Danielle Lucey notched her team-best 12th hit by pitch of the season, as the junior is tied for the fifth-most in a single season with Fiona Girardot (2022). Joey Daniels (2008) holds the all-time record at 24.

Up Next: The Badgers will await their fate at the NCAA Selection Show on Sunday, May 10. Regional assignments will be announced beginning at 6:00 p.m. CT on ESPN2.