Koepsel Hits Four Home Runs In Sweep Of Pioneers

Katie Koepsel blasted four home runs, sending UW-Oshkosh to a pair of softball victories over UW-Platteville on Wednesday (April 9) in Platteville.

UW-Oshkosh (18-4/6-0 WIAC) took a 4-1 decision in the opener before winning a 14-7 slugfest in the second game. The Titans compiled 19 hits in the nightcap - a total that ranks second in school history.

During the second game, Koepsel became the fourth player in WIAC history to hit three homers in one contest. Her school-record 14 total bases rank seventh in NCAA Division III history.

The first game was more of pitchers' duel, with Jill Vondrak taking a no-hitter into the fifth inning. That's when Haley Salazar connected for a solo home run to tie the score, 1-1. UW-Oshkosh had taken the lead on Koepsel's first home run during the fourth inning.

In the sixth, Koepsel doubled home Haley Bayreuther to put the Titans on top. The lead increased to 4-1 after a UW-Platteville fielding error and wild pitch.

Vondrak (10-3) allowed just two hits, including a single by Lisa Karau in the sixth. She struck out five batters while walking one.

Jess Butzen threw all seven innings in the defeat. She allowed one earned run and totaled four strikeouts.

UW-Oshkosh wasted no time grabbing an 8-0 lead during game two. In the first inning, Koepsel ripped a run-scoring double to right field. The second inning featured back-to-back home runs by Bayreuther and Hayden Krueger, with Bayreuther's being a two-run shot.

The Pioneers (13-17/2-4 WIAC) manufactured a run in the third inning when Salazar singled home Katie Huss.

Koepsel homered in her final three at-bats, starting with a leadoff dinger in the fourth inning. Tess Fadness and Lexi Wagner followed with doubles to gain a 10-1 lead.

UW-Platteville stormed back with six runs in the fourth inning. Chelsey Walker began the rally with a solo home run. After a run-scoring single from Karau, Carley Rote hit a three-run homer to make it 10-7.

Leading off the sixth inning, Koepsel walloped one over the centerfield wall. Fadness stepped into the box next and bashed a homer to left-center that put the Titans ahead, 12-7.

Koepsel completed her spectacular day with a two-out bomb to right-center in the seventh.

Despite allowing seven runs, Sara Brunlieb (8-1) earned the complete-game win with four strikeouts. She did not walk a batter.

Cassie Roach took the loss after giving up four ER in 1.1 innings. Keri Treml surrendered six runs over the next 3.2 frames.

Karau led the Pioneers with her 4-for-4 performance at the plate.

Last season, UW-Oshkosh played two games against UW-Superior in Platteville. Koepsel blasted three home runs that day, including a game-winning grand slam.

The Titans host UW-Stout on Saturday (April 12) at YP.com Park.

By Jon Feyen