Fischer's Big Bat Helps Blugolds Defeat Titans Twice

Amanda Fischer drove home nine runs as UW-Eau Claire took both women's softball games against UW-Oshkosh on Saturday (April 28) in Eau Claire. The Blugolds (28-10/12-2 WIAC) extended their winning streak to 12 and are tied for the league lead.

UW-Eau Claire tallied a 10-3 victory in the opener and a 10-6 decision in the second contest. In each game, the Blugolds took the lead and saw the Titans (21-17/6-8 WIAC) pull within one. The home squad then scored four runs during the sixth inning of both games.

The Blugolds got on the board first in the opener. After a pair of third-inning walks, Fischer drilled a three-run homer to center. UW-Oshkosh then responded in its next at-bat with a two-run shot from Katie Koepsel (Fr. • Oak Creek).

Nikki Bromelkamp tacked on a two-run double that made it 6-2 in the fifth frame. UW-Eau Claire marked four times in the sixth, featuring run-scoring singles by Fischer and Pierce.

Tess Fadness (So. • Eau Claire) contributed two hits for the Titans, including a RBI double during the sixth.

The win went to Emma Wishau after she tossed seven frames with three earned runs. Courtney Wautier (Jr. • Brussels) received the loss with six runs allowed over 4.2 innings.

In the nightcap, both teams got some offense in the third. After Hillary Trebiatowski (Jr. • Plover) gave the Titans a 1-0 cushion, the Blugolds stormed back with five runs in the bottom half. The first two scored on an error, while Fischer knocked another three-run homer to gain the 5-1 advantage.

UW-Oshkosh refused to go away during the fifth. Julie Sweeney (Fr. • Arlington Heights, Ill.) continued her impressive batting with a two-run homer to left. Koepsel came up next and delivered another round-tripper, cutting the deficit to 5-4.

The bottom of the sixth featured four runs as the Blugolds pulled away. Emily Haluska and Taylor Pierce each ripped a RBI single. With two outs, Fischer smoked a two-run triple to give her squad a 10-4 margin.

During the seventh, Julia Burns (Sr. • Verona) posted a run-scoring single and Demi Kastein (So. • Waupun) a RBI walk. The Titans received two hits apiece in the game from Burns, Koepsel, Sweeney and Kassie Krueger (So. • Plover).

After compiling four RBI in the opener, Fischer totaled five in the nightcap. Fischer entered the day with 18 RBI in 32 games.

Ashley Meinen gained the second pitching victory, posting 4.2 innings with three earned runs. Laura Raflik then surrendered two runs over 2.1 frames for the save. The loss went to Sweeney after she yielded 10 runs in 5.2 frames.

UW-Oshkosh has a doubleheader at UW-Superior on Sunday (April 29) to end the regular season.