Ninth-Ranked Warhawks Hold Titans In Check

Katie Boyle and Bekka Houda allowed six hits total during UW-Whitewater's softball wins over UW-Oshkosh on Wednesday (April 11) in Whitewater. The Warhawks (17-3/4-0 WIAC) are ranked ninth in the NCAA Division III by the National Fastpitch Coaches Association.

In the opener, Boyle surrendered four singles as UW-Whitewater rode its third-inning outburst to a 4-0 victory. Houda fired a two-hitter, while Emily Epifanio drove in both runs, for a 2-0 nightcap decision.

The Warhawks pulled away from a scoreless opener during the third frame. An error began the rally before Paige Evangelista roped a two-run double down the left-field line. Epifanio came up next and hit a single up the middle to drive home two more.

UW-Oshkosh (15-11/0-2 WIAC) stranded two runners on base during the fourth, sixth and seventh innings. In the final at-bat, the Titans put their first two batters on before Boyle retired the next three.

Courtney Wautier (Jr. • Brussels) accepted the complete-game defeat, allowing three earned runs on six hits with four strikeouts.

The Titans' best opportunity to score in game two came during the first frame. An error, walk and Hillary Trebiatowski's (Jr. • Plover) single loaded the bases before a foul out ended the threat. Tess Fadness (So. • Eau Claire) registered the other UW-Oshkosh hit with her single during the sixth frame.

In the bottom of the first, Mimi Ramirez walked and touched home on Epifanio's groundout. Ramirez again drew a walk in the fifth and made it 2-0 by scoring on an Epifanio single.

Julie Sweeney (Fr. • Arlington Heights, Ill.) gave up just three hits in 5.1 innings, but surrendered two runs for the loss. Sweeney walked six and struck out five.

UW-Oshkosh has a doubleheader with UW-La Crosse (16-5) on Saturday (April 14) at YP.com Park.