Sadly for Wisconsin, Baylor got its revenge and eliminated the Badgers from the 2026 NCAA softball tournament.
Momentum was on the side of the Bears as they came into game five of the Austin Regional riding a high, while the Badgers were fresh off a two-hit, six-inning performance against No. 2 Texas.
Making the tournament was a huge success as Yvette Healy got this squad to their 10th tournament of all time, but Wisconsin would’ve loved to have another shot at the Longhorns in the Regional Final.
At the end of the day, this was still a memorable season for more than one reason, and the Badgers have plenty to be happy about.
Wisconsin’s highest seed since 2014 came back to haunt them
One could argue that Texas deserved to be the No. 1 overall seed, but sadly, Wisconsin was stuck in their regional. Not only that, but Baylor is an incredible team whose record simply doesn’t prove it, as they’re in a stacked conference. At the end of the day, Wisconsin earned its best seed in 12 years, but that’s not something that went its way.
Shelby Jacobson can’t do it all
Jacobson is this team’s undeniable ace, but in a tournament like this, it’s impossible for one pitcher to carry the workload. After nearly reaching her career high in pitches against Baylor in day one of the regional, Jacobson recorded just four outs against Texas, and that was all she wrote as her time in Madison came to an end.
Hilary Blomberg’s historic campaign
Blomberg, should she choose to return for her senior season, could go down as one of the most decorated Badgers in history. After setting the single-season program home run record in Wisconsin’s rematch against Baylor, the sky truly is the limit as to just how impactful Wisconsin’s offense could be next season.
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This article originally appeared on Badgers Wire: Takeaways from Wisconsin’s 2026 NCAA Softball Tournament exit
Reporting by Jordon Lawrenz, Badgers Wire / Badgers Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
