No. 20 Titans Softball Sweeps Eagles to Open WIAC Play
LA CROSSE, Wis.—Sweeping UW-La Crosse for the first time since the 2018 season, the No. 20 UW-Oshkosh Titans (21-1, 2-0 WIAC) jumped out to a 2-0 start in WIAC action this afternoon. The Titans posted a 5-1 win in the first game before defeating the Eagles (14-9, 0-2 WIAC) 8-0 in the second game in six innings.
This was the Titans first sweep of Eagles in La Crosse since 2017 as they split the series in 2019 and 2021.
Abby Garceau, Gabby Buikema, Zoe Malone, and Brianna Davis were the only Titans to record at least one hit in both games today.
Hannah Ritter has scored at least one run in the last three games for the Titans, bringing her total to 15 for the season.
Game One Recap- UWO 5, UWL 1
The Titans struck first against the Eagles, scoring all five of their runs during the third inning. Morgan Rau (one-for-three, RBI) hit a one-run single to bring home Garceau (two-for-four) on an unearned run. Buikema (one-for-three, 2 RBI) hit a two-run single to center field as Sophie Wery and Hannah Ritter scored for the Titans. Davis (one-for-three, 2 RBI) singled to left field for a 2 RBI single and Buikema and Rau scored for the Titans.
Garceau was the only multi-hitter for the Titans in the victory as the Titans had a combined seven hits.
Jordyn McCormack scored the Eagles lone run of the game in the fourth inning on an RBI single from Madi O'Brien.
In the pitcher's circle for the Titans, Fink went all seven inning, allowed four hits, four walks, and struck out three. Fink (9-1) recorded her ninth complete-game victory and matched a season-low three strikeouts.
Game Two Recap- UWO 8, UWL 0 (6 Innings)
After Ritter got on base with a single to right field, she would advance to second base on a wild pitch. Wery (four-for-four, 2 RBI) hit a two-run home run for the first runs of the game, her fourth this season.
Davis (one-for-three, RBI) singled to left field to start the inning for the Titans and would score on Graceau's groundout to shortstop. Wery, who reached base on an opening double for the Titans in the third, scored on Zoe Malone's double down the left-field line as the Titans took a 4-0 lead.
After not allowing a hit by the Titans in the fourth inning, Ritter (two-for-four) singled to center field to start the Titans off in the fifth. Lizzie Slobodecki pinch ran for Ritter and would score as Sydney Rau reached on a throwing error by the Eagles. Haylie Wittman reached on a walk as Wery scored the sixth run of the game for the Titans.
Starting the sixth inning for the Titans, Garceau singled to shortstop. Garceau recorded the Titans first out as Ritter reached on a fielder's choice. Wery doubled to left field, putting herself and Ritter in scoring position. Buikema hit a two-run single to right field as Wery and Ritter scored the final runs of the game for the Titans.
Sydney Nemetz allowed only one hit in the first five innings of the game and would only allow an additional two hits in the sixth inning. Nemetz (11-0) went all six innings, struck out six batters, and earned the complete-game shutout for the Titans. This was Nemetz third shutout of the season, having pitched the shutouts against Washington and Jefferson (March 21) and Trinity College (March 23).
Looking at the Stats (Games Through April 6)
The Titans have a nation-leading ERA of 0.76 and WL percentage of 0.950. The Titans led the WIAC in ERA, on-base percentage, shutouts, sacrifice flies, triples, WHIP, WL percentage, and walks.
Sophie Wery leads the WIAC in RBIs and RBIs per game. Gabby Buikema leads the WIAC in walks per game.
Titans in the National Spotlight
Ritter was named to the 2023 Tucci/NFCA Division III Player and Pitcher of the Year watchlist.
Ritter was named to the NFCA Player Watchlist in 2022 and earned NFCA All-Region honors in 2021 and 2022. Ritter is one of three WIAC players and one of six players from the state of Wisconsin to be named to the list.
Next Time on the Field
The Titans will take on Marian University in a non-conference matchup on April 12. First pitch is set for 4 p.m. in Fond du Lac on Marian's campus.