Titans, Yellowjackets Exchange Two-Run Victories

Katie Koepsel (Fr. • Oak Creek) went 4-for-4 to help UW-Oshkosh take one game during its women's softball doubleheader against UW-Superior on Sunday (April 29) in Superior.

In the opener, Koepsel recorded a triple, double and two singles for the Titans' 7-5 victory. Kayla Blom delivered a two-run single that proved to be the difference in the Yellowjackets' 4-2 triumph.

The second inning of the day began with Koepsel's triple to right field. She then scored on a groundout for the 1-0 lead. UW-Oshkosh (22-18/7-9 WIAC) increased that margin during the fourth, using a two-run hit by Kelley Koebler (Sr. • Janesville) and a run-scoring single from Emily Mallek (Fr. • Plover).

UW-Superior (12-20/5-11 WIAC) also found its groove in the fourth, scoring three times on Kristen Haider's triple.

Following a fifth-frame single by Julie Sweeney (Fr. • Arlington Heights, Ill.), Koepsel crushed a double to give the Titans a 5-3 cushion. That margin didn't last, however, as UW-Superior used Elle Niemala's two-run single to tie the game during the sixth.

A Koepsel single started the eighth inning. With one out, Julia Burns (Sr. • Verona) smacked a double to left that brought home the lead run. Hayley Freimuth (Sr. • Combined Locks) added a run-scoring single for the final tally.

Sweeney got the win with two scoreless innings and three strikeouts. Courtney Wautier (Jr. • Brussels) tossed the opening five frames and yielded four runs. The loss went to Lindsay Garay, who surrendered seven runs on 15 hits over eight innings.

Two Titans got hit by pitches to start the game-two scoring. In the second frame, Mallek ripped a single that put UW-Oshkosh on top, 2-0.

UW-Superior marked three runs in the third frame and one more in the fourth. Taylor VanDamme attained the first RBI, while Blom poked her single with two outs to gain the 3-2 cushion. The Yellowjackets also received a run-scoring groundout from Haider in their next at-bat.

UW-Oshkosh put two runners on base during the fifth and seventh innings, but Amanda Le Bard got the critical outs. Le Bard allowed two runs in seven frames with five strikeouts. Sweeney started and received the defeat, going 4.1 innings with three earned runs.

The Titans are still in the hunt for a WIAC Tournament berth. Matchups will be official following the doubleheader between UW-La Crosse (5-9) and UW-River Falls (8-6) on Monday (April 30).