Warhawks Sweep Titans With Seventh-Inning Runs
UW-Oshkosh limited UW-Whitewater to just one hit in the opener and held a 4-1 advantage in the fifth inning of the nightcap, but the Warhawks eked out a pair of one-run decisions over the Titans on Sunday (April 22) in Whitewater.
UW-Whitewater (19-9, 9-1 WIAC) slipped past the Titans, 1-0, in the first game and 5-4 during the second contest. The Warhawks secured both of the victories with single runs in the bottom of the seventh inning.
The first game featured a pitcher's duel between UW-Oshkosh's Claire Petrus and UW-Whitewater's Julia Camardo, who combined to yield three total hits and nine baserunners the entire game. Camardo picked up the complete-game win after the Warhawks scored an unearned run in the home half of the seventh inning.
UW-Whitewater loaded the bases with one out during the final inning on a pair of walks and a fielder's choice against Petrus. Petrus induced a groundball back to the pitcher's circle and tossed to catcher Abby Menting for the second out, but Kelly Berglund followed with a sharp grounder that went through Titans shortstop Natalie Dudek and allowed Caitlin Catino to score the lone run of the game.
Camardo was credited with a complete-game two-hit shutout, striking out nine and walking just one. Camardo retired the last 12 batters she faced, including five via strikeouts.
Petrus was charged with the loss despite giving up just one hit across 6.2 innings. She walked four and struck out four. Petrus' lone hit allowed was a one-out single by Molly Ethington in the fourth inning.
Kaitlyn Krol recorded both of UW-Oshkosh's hits with a two-out single in the top of the first inning and a leadoff double during the fourth frame.
UW-Oshkosh (15-8, 2-2 WIAC) left four runners on base, including two in the first inning and one at third base in the fourth frame. UW-Whitewater stranded three baserunners, all in the seventh inning as the winning run scored.
In the nightcap, the Titans appeared to be on their way to earning a doubleheader split, leading 4-1 in the fifth inning, but UW-Whitewater pulled within 4-3 with a pair of runs in the home half of the fifth frame before tying the score at 4 in the sixth and winning in the seventh.
Amanda McIlhany drove in each of the Titans' four runs on a two-run homer in the second inning and a two-run double in the third. McIlhany, who also homered against UW-Stevens Point on Saturday (April 21), hit her team-leading third home run of the season off Warhawks starting pitcher Bella Matthias, the reigning WIAC Pitcher of the Year. Matthias departed after ceding three runs (two earned) on one hit and four walks in two-plus innings.
McIlhany then extended the Titan advantage to 4-1 with a two-out double against Warhawks relief pitcher Dani Biesiada.
Titans starting pitcher Bailey Smaney held UW-Whitewater to one run on five hits over the first four innings before allowing a pair of runs in the fifth frame that cut the UW-Oshkosh lead to 4-3.
UW-Oshkosh left the bases loaded in the top of the sixth inning, and UW-Whitewater knotted the score at 4 on a controversial play in the bottom of the frame. The Warhawks had runners at first and second with one out against Petrus, who relieved Smaney to begin the inning. Mallory Klotz then hit a groundball to Dudek at shortstop, but UW-Whitewater's runner at second base – Vera Pflugradt – appeared to run bump into Dudek on the play before the ball tricked into the outfield, allowing Pflugradt to score the tying run. After a conference among the three umpires, Pflugradt was ruled to have not obstructed Dudek.
Petrus escaped further damage by inducing a groundout and a flyout to keep the score tied at 4 heading into the seventh inning. The flyout was a leaping catch over the wall by Titans center fielder Acacia Tupa that prevented a potential three-run homer off the bat of Nicole Neitzel.
Camardo, who entered the UW-Whitewater pitcher's circle to get the final out of the sixth inning, set down the Titans in order in the seventh.
Catino led off the bottom of the seventh inning with a double and Emily Rux followed with a walk. After the Warhawks sacrificed Catino and Rux to second and third bases, Berglund hit a grounder to McIlhany at second base that allowed Catino to score the winning run well ahead of McIlhany's throw.
Camardo (9-3) picked up her second win of the day after pitching 1.1 perfect innings.
Petrus (9-5) suffered the loss, allowing two runs (one earned) in 1.1 innings.
Catino, Neitzel and Kaiden Jackson each recorded two of the Warhawks' 10 hits while McIlhany went 3-for-4 to pace the Titans.
UW-Oshkosh conducts its home opener Wednesday (April 25) with a doubleheader against UW-River Falls at the UW-Oshkosh Softball Park.
Photo by Paul Fionda