Titans Sweep Blugolds in WIAC Action
OSHKOSH, Wis.—A walk-off win and the tenth shutout of the season were the stories of the day for the nationally-ranked UW-Oshkosh Titans (25-1, 4-0 WIAC) softball squad against the Blugolds of UW-Eau Claire (12-12, 1-3 WIAC).
The Titans defeated the Blugolds 3-2 in the first game before posting a 2-0 victory to sweep the series. This was the first sweep of the Blugolds since the 2018 season.
Game One Recap
Abby Garceau (one-for-four) scored the opening run of the day for the Titans, crossing home plate on Morgan Rau's (two-for-three, RBI) single down the left field line. The Blugolds held the Titans to the single run until the sixth inning, when Ana Iliopoulos (one-for-three) singled to center field for Sydney Rau to score.
The Blugolds scored a pair of runs in the top of the seventh to tie the game at two.
Starting the seventh inning off for the Titans, Hannah Ritter (two-for-four) singled up the middle. After Sophie Wery was out on a sac bunt, Morgan Rau was intentionally walked. Sydney Rau (two-for-two, RBI) singled to the shortstop as Morgan Rau scored the walk-off run for the Titans.
In the circle for the Titans, Maddie Fink (11-1) went all seven innings, allowed two runs, four hits, and struck out five.
Garceau and Lizzie Slobodecki recorded stolen bases for the Titans while Haylie Wittman recorded her fifth double of the season.
Game Two Recap
Garceau (one-for-three) scored both runs for the Titans in the second game. Garceau pushed the first run across in the third inning, scoring on Ritter's (two-for-three) single up the middle of the field.
Garceau doubled the score for the Titans in the sixth inning, crossing home plate on Gabby Buikema's (one-for-two) sacrifice fly to center field.
Sydney Nemetz (12-0) was in the circle for the Titans, allowing only three hits and recording three strikeouts.
Ritter hit her seventh double of the season while Garceau hit her second triple of the season.
Titan Notes
The Titans moved up the National Fastpitch Coaching Associations top-25 poll, landing at No. 18.
The Titans recorded their tenth shutout of the season. The Titans have previously recorded ten or more shutouts since the 2001 season five other times: 10-2005 and 2017; 12-2008; 13-2006; 16-2007).
Next Time on the Field
The Titans round out their non-conference schedule on April 18 and 19. The Titans will host Carroll University for a doubleheader on April 18 starting at 3 p.m. before traveling to Marian University on April 19 for a 4 p.m. first pitch.
Photo Credit: Steve Frommell