Madison Reporter

The Wisconsin Badgers softball team rode back-to-back wins in the NCAA Tournament to advance to the regional finals before falling to host Florida 11-0 in the Gainesville Regional Final to end their season.

Even in the aftermath of their disappointing end, Coach Yvette Healy beamed with pride.

“Proud of this Badger Softball family, advancing to championship Sunday in Florida,” she tweeted.

The Badgers got things rolling in Florida on May 20, by knocking off Canisius in the elimination game 3-0. Gabi Salo hurled four shutout innings for the victors and Maddie Schwartz notched the save as the Badgers posted their fourth NCAA tournament shutout in school history and first since the 2017 season.

Peyton Bannon blasted her second homer of the season for the Badgers.

Next up, the Badgers rallied from a 6-2 deficit to beat Georgia Tech 7-6, earning a spot in the regional finals against host Florida.

In earning their fifth regional round appearance in their last six tries, the Badgers pushed across four runs on seven hits in the bottom of the seventh inning against Georgia Tech, the game-winning score coming on a bases loaded walk to Skylar Sirdashney that scored Eden Dempsey.

The Badgers drew close in the fifth, when Kayla Konwent scored Ellie Hubbard on a double down the left field line and Morgan Kummer scored on a wild pitch. Bannon added her second homer in as many games.

The Badgers had just 30 minutes between their comeback win over Georgia Tech and taking the field against Florida, who scored 10 runs in the first inning and never looked back.

While in Florida, Bannon led the offense with five hits, including the two homers, while Tessa Magnanimo earned both victories.

Overall, the Badgers are now 12-12 in their last 24 NCAA tournament games, while their 30 wins this season marked the seventh time the team has eclipsed that total since Healy took over the program.