Titans Swept By Warhawks In Nonconference Doubleheader
Chloe Lambie and Morgan Rau both hit home runs for UW-Oshkosh, but UW-Whitewater countered with three homers of its own to sweep a nonconference doubleheader Wednesday (April 28) in Whitewater.
UW-Whitewater (20-8), which snapped a four-game losing streak against the Titans, came back to win both games Wednesday by scores of 7-2 in the opener and 10-4 during the nightcap. The Warhawks, who outhit UW-Oshkosh, 25-19, on the day, overcame a 2-1 deficit in the fourth inning of the first game before erasing a 4-3 deficit during the fifth frame of the second contest.
The Warhawks, 12-2 at home this season, defeated the Titans for the first time since a 5-0 decision April 9, 2019. UW-Oshkosh, which began the day tied atop the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference at 7-3 with four league games remaining, swept a pair of conference games from UW-Whitewater on April 15 in Oshkosh.
In Wednesday's first game, UW-Oshkosh took a 2-1 lead in the fourth inning on Lambie's first collegiate home run – a solo shot to left field.
UW-Whitewater responded immediately, reclaiming a 4-2 advantage after Taylor Briehl hit a three-run homer during the home half of the fourth frame. The Warhawks then tacked on three insurance runs in the fifth inning.
Lambie finished the opener 2-for-3 while Emily Cliver, Natalie Dudek, Katie Fontanetta, Kailee Garstecki, Ana Iliopoulos and Hannah Ritter added hits for the Titans.
Briehl went 3-for-3 for the Warhawks, who also received two of their 10 hits from both Delaney Becker and Nikki Mikosz.
UW-Whitewater relief pitcher Kate Cleveland (7-3) earned the win, holding the Titans scoreless on just three hits across the final four innings.
Titans relief pitcher Maddie Fink (9-3) suffered the loss, surrendering six runs in 1.2 innings. Iliopoulos and Sidney Budzinski both provided shutout relief outings for UW-Oshkosh as Iliopoulos tossed the third inning in relief of starter Mia Crotty. Budzinski then pitched the final 1.1 innings in scoreless fashion.
During the nightcap UW-Oshkosh scored three runs in the top of the fifth inning to claim a 4-3 edge, but the Warhawks once again answered right away, tallying five runs during the home half of the fifth frame for an 8-4 cushion.
UW-Oshkosh's three-run fifth inning featured a two-out, two-run double by Rau, who scored the go-ahead run via an infield error off the bat of Amanda Mc Ilhany. Rau also cranked a solo home run – her team leading third of the season – to left field that pulled the Titans within 2-1 in the fourth frame.
Mikosz hit a two-run homer that gave the Warhawks the lead for good at 5-4 in the bottom of the fifth inning. Briehl tacked on a two-run double and Vera Pflugradt singled home a run during the fifth frame before Meg Cohrs capped the scoring with a two-run homer in the sixth inning. Mikosz's home run was her WIAC-leading 10th this season.
Marissa Adams (3-1) picked up the win in relief for the Warhawks despite allowing three runs (two earned) in one inning pitched.
Titans starting pitcher Claire Petrus (2-2) was charged with the loss after yielding five runs in four innings.
UW-Oshkosh (15-9) returns to conference action when it plays a doubleheader at UW-Stout on Friday (April 30).