UW-Whitewater took both ends of a doubleheader in Oshkosh, defeating UW-O 8-1 and 3-2 Wednesday. The victories give UW-W an eleven game win streak and put the Warhawks' record at 29-3.
game one box score
game two box score
A first inning run batted in single by Ashley Smith (Elgin, IL/St. Edward Catholic) and Lauren Cruz (Des Plaines, IL/Maine West)'s two run home run proved to be the only runs UW-W would need in game one. The Titans scored an unearned run in the bottom of the inning, but Amy Gahl (Beloit/Parkview) added a two run homer in the second to make it 5-1, and UW-W added single runs in the fifth and seventh to win 7-1.
Gahl went 3x4, including a double and her fourth home run of the season, and scored two runs to lead the Warhawk offense. Suzanne Gersich (Wadsworth, IL/Warren), Nicole Bothun (Fort Atkinson/Fort Atkinson) and Cruz added two hits apiece. Sophomore lefty Jessica Stang#, 14-1, went the distance on the mound, striking out five and walking one while giving up five hits.
UW-W followed the same pattern in game two, using a Titan error followed by Gersich's sixth homer of the season to lead 2-0. Oshkosh used two singles and a sacrifice to cut the margin in half, 2-1, in the fourth. In the top of the fifth Amanda LeBeau (Worth, IL/Richards) doubled in a run to provide the winning run for the Warhawks, as they hung on with Oshkosh scoring once in the ninth and leaving two runners on base.
Stacy Bahr (Racine/Park), 8-1, picked up the win, with three innings of relief help from Stang, who earned her fourth save of the season. Gahl and Gersich both had hits in the game, extending their hitting streaks to eleven and ten games, respectively.
UW-W is ranked ninth in this week's National Fastpitch Coaches Association Division III poll.
UW-W's next date will be at home, a doubleheader against UW-Eau Claire Friday at 3:00. Van Steenderen Field is west of Perkins Stadium and north of Williams Center on the UW-W campus, and free parking is available in the stadium lot.
For additional information: Brenda Volk, UW-W coach
