Titans Edged By Top-Ranked Tigers In NCAA Championship Opener
UW-Oshkosh pushed the top ranked team in the country to the limit, but DePauw University (Ind.) scored twice in the fifth inning and held on for a 2-1 win during the opening game of the NCAA Division III Softball Championship on Thursday (May 27) in Salem, Va.
Eighth-seeded UW-Oshkosh (28-12) scored in the first inning and had the tying run on first base with no outs during the seventh frame, but a strikeout preceded a groundout that turned into a umpire-ruled ending of the game. Amanda Mc Ilhany singled to represent the tying run. A strikeout kept Mc Ilhany at first base, a grounder off the bat of Acacia Tupa resulted in a force-out at second base and Tupa was safe easily at first as the throw caromed into the Titan dugout on the first base side. However, following an umpire conference, interference was called at second base, resulting in Tupa also being called out to conclude the contest.
UW-Oshkosh (28-12) will play Game 5 – an elimination contest – at 10 a.m. (CDT) Friday (May 28) against fifth-seeded Tufts University (Mass.) (21-6). DePauw University (39-3), ranked first by the National Fastpitch Coaches Association and seeded first at the World Series, advances to play Game 7 Friday afternoon against fourth-seeded Texas Lutheran University. Texas Lutheran University (33-4), tied for second in the NFCA poll, defeated Tufts University, 4-3, on Thursday.
Making its first trip to the World Series since 1988, UW-Oshkosh claimed a 1-0 lead in the top of the first inning on a two-out single from Gabby Buikema that plated Hannah Ritter from second base.
Titans starting pitcher Maddie Fink held DePauw University without a baserunner until a leadoff single during the home half of the fourth inning. Fink easily worked around the initial Tigers runner, getting a sacrifice bunt for the first out, a foul out then a popup to preserve the 1-0 advantage.
UW-Oshkosh, which left six runners on base, stranded a runner in scoring position in the top of the fifth inning before DePauw University regained momentum during the home half of the frame. The Tigers led off the fateful fifth inning with three straight singles to load the bases. A fielder's choice knotted the score at 1 and, following a double-steal put runners at second and third bases, another groundout plated the eventual winning run.
DePauw University starting pitcher Cami Henry limited the Titans to three singles while issuing five walks and striking out seven. Henry, a NFCA First Team All-American, improved her record to 23-0 on the year.
Fink (20-4) lost her first decision since April 28 – a span of 13 appearances, including 12 starts – after yielding four hits and one walk with one strikeout in six innings. The complete game was Fink's 18th this season.
Buikema, Mc Ilhany and Ritter accounted for the Titans' three hits. UW-Oshkosh, which ranked sixth in the country with a .977 fielding percentage entering the World Series, played its 20th errorfree game of the year. The Titans had their leadoff hitter on first base in the first, second, fourth, fifth and seventh innings.
Four different Tigers had hits while Chase Epp and Jade Mejia Wick both drove in DePauw University runs. The Tigers stole just two bases after heading into Salem ranked third nationally in stolen bases.
UW-Oshkosh is seeking its first World Series victory Friday.
UW-Oshkosh Postgame Interview • Head Coach Scott Beyer & Pitcher Maddie Fink
NCAA Division III Softball Championship Host Website
NCAA Division III Softball Championship Bracket
NCAA Division III Softball Championship Program
NCAA Division III Softball Championship Media Guide
UW-Oshkosh NCAA Division III Softball Championship Media Guide
Photo by Ryan Hunt, Sideline Media Productions