Sweeney, Wautier Shut Out Maroons

Julie Sweeney (Fr. • Arlington Heights, Ill.) and Courtney Wautier (Jr. • Brussels) each threw a shutout in UW-Oshkosh's doubleheader sweep over the University of Chicago (Ill.) on Saturday (April 7) at YP.com Softball Park.

Wautier struck out five while allowing just four hits during the 2-0 opener victory. Sweeney improved on that effort, tossing a two-hitter in the 1-0 decision. Emily Mallek (Fr. • Plover) accounted for the nightcap's only score with her third inning home run.

The Maroons (15-7) threatened against Wautier in the third and fourth innings. In the third, the Titans turned a 5-3-6 double play to wipe out a leadoff double. Wautier then speared a line drive and turned another twin killing to quiet a fourth-frame rally.

After reaching on an error during the third, Kelley Koebler (Sr. • Janesville) came home on Emily Miskoski's (Fr. • Stevens Point) sacrifice squeeze. UW-Oshkosh gained its 2-0 margin when Hillary Trebiatowski (Jr. • Plover) smoked a run-scoring double into the gap.

Kim Cygan, who entered with an 8-1 record, took the loss after allowing two runs on five hits in the complete game.

Sweeney baffled the Maroons in the second contest, retiring the first 12 batters. The only hits were singles by Cygan and Liz Payonk during the fifth. With two runners on, Sweeney grabbed a line drive and nailed Cygan for a double play of her own.

Mallek's solo shot easily cleared the left-field wall to begin the third frame. The Titans had three hits in the fourth, but two runners were caught stealing to keep the score 1-0.

The loss fell on Sarah Neuhaus, who surrendered seven hits and one run. Kassie Krueger (So. • Plover) led all players with her two-hit game.

UW-Oshkosh now opens WIAC play at nationally ranked UW-Whitewater (15-3) on Wednesday (April 11).