Titans Track Down Gators With Late Scores

The UW-Oshkosh baseball team overcame a three-run deficit with seven scores over the final two innings to defeat Allegheny College (Pa.), 7-3, on Monday (March 21) in Auburndale, Fla.

UW-Oshkosh trailed its first-time opponent, 3-0, before erupting for three runs on four hits in the eighth inning and four runs on two hits in the ninth. The Titans were held to just five hits through the game's first seven innings. 

Johnny Eagan provided the offensive spark for UW-Oshkosh by hitting a run-scoring double in the eighth inning and a two-run single in the ninth. The Titans also benefited from run-scoring singles by Jack Paulson and Robbie Kleman in the eighth inning and Andy Brahier in the ninth. 

UW-Oshkosh (1-6) began its comeback with three consecutive hits to open the eighth inning. Noah Polcyn led off the frame with a double, and his hit was followed by Paulson's run-scoring single and Eagan's run-scoring double. After a sacrifice bunt and a strikeout, Kleman singled to shortstop to tie the score at 3.

Thanks to eight straight Allegheny College pitches that were thrown outside the strike zone, UW-Oshkosh's first two batters of the ninth inning – Zack Radde and Conner Funnell – reached first base courtesy of a walk. Following a mishandled sacrifice bunt by Polcyn that loaded the bases, Radde scored from third base on a wild pitch to give the Titans a 4-3 lead. UW-Oshkosh then closed its scoring on the hits by Eagan and Brahier. 

UW-Oshkosh tallied 11 hits in the contest, including three by Eagan and two apiece from Brahier and Polcyn. The hits allowed the Titans to record their highest run total in eight games.

Allegheny College (2-3) grabbed a 1-0 lead in the third inning. Robert DiMaggio led off the frame with a walk and stole second during the next at-bat. After a fly out, Tyler Wagner smashed a single to score DiMaggio. 

A lead-off single by Patrick Orr ignited a two-run seventh inning for the Gators. After a mishandled sacrifice bunt put Andrew Dawson on first base and Orr on second, Austin Bristol followed a strikeout with a run-scoring single. An infield error allowed Dawson to score, but the Allegheny College inning stopped with a strikeout and a foul out.

Allegheny College was limited to seven hits (all singles), but only one after the seventh inning. Dan Bonnett led the Gators with two hits. 

Both starting pitchers gave their teams strong efforts. UW-Oshkosh's Matt Sabel hurled seven innings and scattered six hits with eight strikeouts, while Allegheny College's Robert Julian pitched three batters into the eighth inning before leaving with eight hits allowed and five strikeouts. Both pitchers gave up three runs, with only two of Sabel's being earned.

Colan Treml (1-1) captured the pitching victory for the Titans by limiting the Gators to just one hit over the last two innings. He faced eight batters, including three that were retired by a strikeout.

Kyle O'Connell took the pitching loss for Allegheny College. He pitched the eighth inning and two batters into the ninth before being replaced by Cy Perry. Both Allegheny College relievers gave up two runs and combined to allow three hits. 

UW-Oshkosh plays first-time opponent Salve Regina University (R.I.) in a doubleheader on Tuesday (March 22) in Auburndale.