In a thrilling NCAA Tournament regional game that required nine innings, Wisconsin defeated Baylor, 2-1, on Friday.
The stage was set for Wisconsin to go home in the seventh. Shelby Jacobson was one pitch away, but back-to-back doubles kept the Bears alive.
After a uneventful eighth inning, Wisconsin produced its third walk-off in tournament history (2019 and 2022) in the ninth.
The Badgers’ first run was unearned thanks to a few overthrows, but Hannah Conger hit a towering single to right field to end a nearly three-hour game.
Wisconsin heads to the winners’ bracket, where it will play in the first game on Saturday. It will play the winner of the Texas-Wagner game at 1 p.m. ET.
FINAL: Wisconsin 2, Baylor 1
A leadoff, four-pitch walk set the stage for the Badgers to walk it off! Hannah Conger delivers the game-winning hit as Wisconsin prevails in a nine-inning thriller.
M9: Baylor 1, Wisconsin 1
Jacobson retired the side in order. Her 143 pitches are three shy of her career high.
End of 8th: Baylor 1, Wisconsin 1
The Badgers were aggressive at the plate but came up empty. Baylor recorded all three outs in just four pitches.
M8: Baylor 1, Wisconsin 1
Whidden came up with a huge double play on the first pitch after the failed challenge. Jacobson allowed another double, but a deep fly ball ended the inning with the score still tied.
T8: Baylor 1, Wisconsin 1
Wisconsin is out of challenges after believing Baylor’s runner left early on a stolen base. Now, there’s no one out and the Bears have a runner on second.
End of 7th: Baylor 1, Wisconsin 1
The Badgers are retired in order as the first game of the Austin Regional heads to extra innings!
All time, Wisconsin is 2-2 while Baylor is 4-3 in NCAA Tournament games that have gone to extra innings.
B7: Baylor 1, Wisconsin 1
Wisconsin believed Hannah Conger beat out the throw on an infield single, but she did not, so the Badgers lost their first challenge.
M7: Baylor 1, Wisconsin 1
Kaylie Whidden saves another run from scoring with a great catch at second as Wisconsin looks to walk things off in the seventh.
T7: Baylor 1, Wisconsin 1
An illegal pitch extended the game for Jacobson, who was one pitch away from ending things before she allowed back-to-back doubles, which got Baylor on the board.
End of 6th: Wisconsin 1, Baylor 0
A pair of bunts and overthrows helped the Badgers take a lead as they look to avoid going to the bottom of the seventh against Baylor.
B6: Wisconsin 1, Baylor 0
Wisconsin finally breaks through in the bottom of the sixth as Alivia Bark bunts in a run!
Baylor challenged the play. It believed Claire Calmes left third base early. After a lengthy review, it was determined that she did not, and the Bears lost their first challenge.
B6: Baylor 0, Wisconsin 0
Ava Parent grew too greedy on a bunt after not one, but two poor throws from Baylor. After advancing from first to third, Wisconsin’s pinch runner was thrown out at the plate in each team’s first real scoring chance of the game.
M6: Baylor 0, Wisconsin 0
It’s another one, two, three inning for Jacobson, who has allowed just two hits through six scoreless.
End of 5th: Baylor 0, Wisconsin 0
Hannah Conger drew a 10-pitch walk, and Hilary Blomberg doubled, but this time Baylor didn’t intentionally walk Jackie Showalter to load the bases with two outs. The redshirt freshman failed to make the Bears pay. She struck out to end the inning.
This is the first time all season these teams enter the sixth in a scoreless tie.
M5: Baylor 0, Wisconsin 0
The Bears fail to take advantage of a pair of walks as they once again leave two runners stranded. Jacobson has walked six through five innings and has thrown 93 pitches. Baylor has left eight runners on base, and these teams are a combined 0 for 10 with runners in scoring position.
End of 4th: Baylor 0, Wisconsin 0
The Badgers once again go down in order as both teams have two hits each through four scoreless innings.
M4: Baylor 0, Wisconsin 0
Jacobson brushed off a leadoff single, even with Baylor going to their bench for a pinch hitter and pinch runner. She ended the inning on a three-pitch strikeout, leaving runners stranded at the corners.
End of 3rd: Baylor 0, Wisconsin 0
Baylor intentionally walked the bases with two outs, and their bold decision paid off as Kendra Lewis flew out to end the inning.
M3: Baylor 0, Wisconsin 0
It’s a one, two, three top half of the third as Jacobson looks much more comfortable in the circle.
End of 2nd: Baylor 0, Wisconsin 0
This game remains scoreless through two as Baylor retired Wisconsin’s side in order.
M2: Baylor 0, Wisconsin 0
Yvette Healy came out for a mound visit just 41 pitches into the game after Jacobson walked a pair. The senior dialed things in as Baylor once again left runners stranded at second and third.
End of 1st: Baylor 0, Wisconsin 0
Wisconsin also leaves two stranded as a lineout double-play cuts their first inning short.
M1: Baylor 0, Wisconsin 0
Jacobson allowed a double and a walk in a 26-pitch first inning, but Baylor left a pair of runners in scoring position.
Wisconsin’s starting lineup has been revealed:
Wisconsin softball Austin Regional vs. Baylor: TV channel, start time
Date: Friday, May 15
Channel: ESPN+
First Pitch: 1:30 p.m. ET, 12:30 p.m. CT
Where to watch Wisconsin-Baylor NCAA Tournament on live stream
Every game in the Austin Regional, Wisconsin-Baylor included, will be streamed on ESPN+.
Wisconsin vs. Baylor on ESPN+
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This article originally appeared on Badgers Wire: Wisconsin wins nine-inning thriller vs. Baylor: Instant reaction
Reporting by Jordon Lawrenz, Badgers Wire / Badgers Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
