Wisconsin softball walks off Baylor to advance in NCAA softball tournament

Wisconsin softball is advancing in the winners’ bracket after a dramatic finish in its NCAA tournament opener.

The eighth-seeded Badgers bested Baylor in walk-off fashion, 2-1, following an extra-inning pitchers’ duel on Friday, May 15, in the first round of the Austin regional in the NCAA Tournament.

UW shortstop Hannah Conger delivered the game-winning double in the ninth inning – her first hit of the afternoon – to bring home Alivia Bark for the game-winning run. It was Wisconsin’s third-ever walk-off win in the NCAA Tournament.

UW ace Shelby Jacobson set up the Badgers for the late heroics with a stellar start. She threw a 141-pitch complete game, holding the Bears to only one run in nine innings. The Bears had six hits and six walks while stranding 10 runners on base.

Wisconsin softball player Emily Bojan takes an at-bat during the Badgers' practice at Goodman Softball Complex in Madison on May 12, 2026.

Both teams were held scoreless for the first five innings before the Badgers scored unconventionally in the sixth inning. Baylor’s two throwing errors on a Kaylie Whidden bunt set up the Badgers with a runner on third base and only one out. That run scored on a well-executed squeeze bunt by Bark.

Baylor was then down to its final strike in the seventh inning before back-to-back doubles by Faith Piper and Amber Toven tied the game and forced extra innings. The Bears had an enviable opportunity in the eighth inning as well with a runner on second base and no outs, but a line-drive double play negated the threat.