Titans Rely On Pitching For Split

Elizabeth Greatens (So. • Green Bay) and Demi Kastein (So. • Waupun) combined for a three-hit shutout during UW-Oshkosh's 7-0 victory over Smith College (Mass.) on Thursday (March 22) in Cape Coral, Fla. The Titans (8-4) also suffered a 4-3 extra-inning loss to undefeated Amherst College (Mass.).

Against the Pioneers, Tess Fadness (So. • Eau Claire) doubled in the first inning and stole home. UW-Oshkosh then tallied three times during the third, including Julia Burns' (Sr. • Verona) two-run single.

A two-run hit from Hillary Trebiatowski (Jr. • Plover) upped the lead to 6-0 in the sixth frame. Smith College (1-6) never really got on track, and it failed to score after notching two singles during the fourth.

Kastein (win) allowed just two hits over five innings before Greatens retired six of the seven batters she faced. The loss fell on Kayla Kiers, who surrendered four runs in three frames. Tessa Clark fired the last four innings for the Pioneers, yielding one earned run on three hits and three walks.

UW-Oshkosh started strong with two second-inning runs against Amherst (10-0). The Titans used a sacrifice fly from Hayley Freimuth (Sr. • Combined Locks) and a two-out RBI single by Emily Mallek (Fr. • Plover).

The Jeffs marked single runs in the second and seventh innings to pull even. Theresa Kelley posted a run-scoring single to pull within 2-1. Down to its final out, Amherst capitalized on a Titan error in the seventh frame to tie the contest.

Kassie Krueger (So. • Plover) booked a run-scoring single in UW-Oshkosh's next turn to go back in front. Amherst had another response, as Donna Leet ripped a RBI double to equal the score. Reilly Horan came up next and delivered a single to take the walk-off win.

Both Kelley (win) and Arielle Doering threw four innings and allowed two hits for the Jeffs. Julie Sweeney (Fr. • Arlington Heights, Ill.) suffered the complete-game loss despite striking out 10 with one earned run over seven frames.

UW-Oshkosh has two more contests Friday (March 23) in Florida before returning to the Midwest.