(UW ATHLETICS) COLLEGE PARK, MARYLAND – Sophomore Hannah Conger barreled a single to left field to complete a three-run comeback, as the Wisconsin softball team provided four unanswered runs in the final two innings of play to defeat Purdue and advance to the Big Ten Tournament Quarterfinals on Wednesday night.
After two runners reached base in the seventh, the Badgers (31-18) executed a double steal to put runners in scoring position. Conger then delivered, earning her ninth multi-hit performance of the year and UW’s first win in the Big Ten Tournament since 2024.
In the sixth inning, redshirt freshman Jaclyn Showalter clutched up against the Boilermakers once again—launching a game-tying, three-run home run.
The Boilermakers jumped out to a quick start with the help of their star in Moriah Polar, plating two runs in the first frame to take an early lead. Purdue went on to add one more run in the third, as senior Shelby Jacobson settled in and shut down the Boilermakers’ offense throughout the rest of the battle.
UW once again provided a late comeback, erasing a three-run deficit against Purdue for the second time this season—punching its ticket to the Big Ten Quarterfinals tomorrow afternoon.
Batting Cleanup:
- UW advanced to the Big Ten Quarterfinals for the second time in three years.
- Wisconsin’s walk off in the Big Ten Tournament marks its first in program history.
- The Badgers three-run comeback in the Big Ten Tournament First Round game is tied for the largest in program history, as UW last did so in 2014 when they erased a three-run deficit against Northwestern.
- Wisconsin finished the season with a 3-1 record over Purdue.
- Hannah Conger provided the walk-off base hit for the Badgers in the seventh inning, going 2-for-3 on the evening. The sophomore tallied UW’s first hit of the game in the sixth frame to begin the rally, in addition to earning her ninth multi-hit game of the year. Conger earned her second walk-off of the season, last doing so in game two at St. Thomas.
- Jaclyn Showalter launched her 12th home run of the season, providing a game-tying home run in the sixth inning. Showalter is now tied with Chloe Miller
- Hilary Blomberg reached base twice and scored once versus Purdue, walking twice.
Up Next: The Badgers are set to take on No. 2 Oregon Thursday afternoon, as first pitch is scheduled for 3:30 p.m. CT. The quarterfinal matchup will be streamed on Big Ten Network.
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