Warhawks Sweep Titans In Nationally Ranked Battle
UW-Whitewater swept a doubleheader over UW-Oshkosh in a clash of nationally ranked softball teams on Saturday (April 22) at the UW-Oshkosh Softball Park.
UW-Whitewater (27-7, 10-0 WIAC), ranked 13th in the NCAA Division III by the National Fastpitch Coaches Association, defeated the 17th-ranked Titans by scores of 9-4 in the opener and 6-1 during the nightcap.
UW-Oshkosh (22-8, 4-4 WIAC) falls to fourth place in the league standings with six conference road games remaining. The Titans, who suffered their first home defeats of the season, now sport a 34-4 record at the UW-Oshkosh Softball Park since 2014.
In Saturday's opener, UW-Whitewater took its only lead of the game with six runs on five hits and two UW-Oshkosh errors in the top of the sixth inning.
UW-Oshkosh reclaimed a 4-3 lead in the bottom of the fourth inning on a two-out, run-scoring single by Caitlin Hoerning.
The Warhawks' comeback was sparked by a leadoff single from Michayla Swanson, who was lifted for pinch-runner Kayla Seymour. After a sacrifice bunt advanced Seymour to second base, Nicole Neitzel delivered a run-scoring single to tie the game at 4.
An infield error put Warhawks at first and second bases ahead of Mallory Klotz, who laced a two-run double for a 6-4 UW-Whitewater advantage. The Warhawks added three more runs with two outs after sending 11 batters to the plate in the decisive sixth inning.
UW-Oshkosh took a 3-0 lead in the first inning. The Titans scored the game's first run on a two-out infield error, and Natalie Dudek followed with her first home run of the season – a two-run shot to left field.
UW-Whitewater knotted the score at 3 on a two-out, three-run home run by Meg Cohrs in the third inning.
Klotz went 3-for-4 to pace the Warhawks while Cohrs, Neitzel and Caitlin Catino each added two hits for UW-Whitewater.
Bella Matthias (12-3) earned the complete-game pitching win for the Warhawks, surrendering four runs (all unearned) on just three hits. She struck out seven and walked five.
UW-Oshkosh relief pitcher Clare Robbe (6-3) was charged with the loss, yielding six runs (two earned) on six hits in 1.2 innings of work.
UW-Oshkosh starting pitcher Sara Brunlieb allowed three runs on six hits over the first four innings, and Bailey Smaney tossed 1.1 scoreless innings in relief of Robbe.
In the second contest, the Warhawks scored twice in the top of the first inning before extending their advantage to 6-1 with a three-run fifth frame.
UW-Whitewater starting pitcher Julia Camardo earned a complete-game victory by scattering eight hits and limiting the Titans to an unearned run in the third inning. Camardo (7-2) recorded seven strikeouts and issued two walks.
Both teams collected eight hits while UW-Oshkosh left 10 runners on base and UW-Whitewater seven.
UW-Oshkosh starting pitcher Claire Petrus walked the first two UW-Whitewater batters of the game, and both came around to score as Haley Morelli scored one with a single before the Warhawks claimed a 2-0 lead on a passed ball with two outs.
UW-Oshkosh trimmed its deficit to 2-1 in the third inning on a two-out single by Dudek that scored Emma Fionda, who led off the frame with a bunt single.
The Warhawks upped their lead to 3-1 in the fourth inning on a two-out, solo home run by Neitzel. UW-Whitewater then provided the final score with three runs in the fifth inning, including one on a double by Morelli and another on a two-out single by Dani Biesiada.
Biesiada and Morelli had two hits apiece to lead UW-Whitewater while Dudek had a pair of singles for UW-Oshkosh.
Petrus (3-1) was charged with her first collegiate loss, allowing six runs (five earned) on seven hits and three walks in 4.2 innings pitched. She entered the doubleheader leading the nation with a 0.24 earned run average.
Smaney pitched the final 2.1 innings in scoreless fashion for the Titans.
UW-Oshkosh begins a string of 10 straight road games with a doubleheader at Lakeland University on Tuesday (April 25).