Box Score 1 | Box Score 2 WHITEWATER, Wis. - The Warhawk softball doubleheader against conference foe UW-Oshkosh Wednesday afternoon in Whitewater was a tale of two very different games. UW-W swept the Titans to hand UW-O its first losses in the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference. The opener was a defense battle where the Warhawks prevailed 2-1. The nightcap was all offense as UW-W notched the win, 14-11. The Warhawks are 25-8 overall and improve to 10-2 in league play. Oshkosh is 20-8 and 8-2 this season.

Photo Gallery courtesy of Alex Saager

The Titans got on the board first with a solo run in the top of the fourth after a double and a throwing error landed Tess Fadness on third base. With one out, the lone UW-O run of the game crossed home on a ground out.

The Warhawks responded in the bottom of the fifth. Laura Eichenold (Elmwood Park, IL/Trinity) led off the inning with a double down the right field line and was replaced on the base path by Courtney Smith (St. Charles, IL/North). Jo Jablonski (Palatine, IL/Palatine) drew a walk to put two runners on and both advanced into scoring position on a passed ball. Chelsey Schobert (Belmont/Belmont) posted the clutch single to left center to plate two runs and give UW-W a 2-1 lead. 

Oshkosh threatened in the top of the sixth, advancing a base runner to third but Kelynn Sporer (Chilton/Chilton) got out of the inning with an infield popup. Sporer retired the Titans in order via strike outs in the top of the seventh to record the win.

Eichenold posted two of the team's six hits in the game. Sporer improved to 10-4 with a complete game five-hitter on the mound striking out six while walking two in the contest.

The second game of the twinbill was an offensive marathon. The teams combined for 28 hits, 25 runs, 22 RBI, and 9 extra base hits.

UW-Oshkosh posted four in the top of the first off of three hits but Whitewater retaliated to even the score 4-4 after one complete. The Warhawks' four runs came off of five hits. Paige Evangelista (Wheaton, IL/North) brought in one run with a single down the right field line. Eichenold's second double of the day scored another and Jablonski's double to left center tied the game.

The Titans plated a single run in the top of the fifth. Freshman Amy Ricci (Gurnee, IL/Warren Township) tagged a three run blast to right field, her fourth homer of the season, to give UW-W a 7-5 lead. 

Oshkosh took the upper hand in the next half inning scoring four runs on three hits with the help of some aggressive base running but the Warhawk offense would not be deterred. Whitewater's half of the third inning was all they would need for the win.

Eichenold singled to center to lead off the inning, advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt and moved to third on a passed ball. Schobert drew a one-out walk and Samie Seamon (Antioch, IL/Antioch) blasted a three-run homerun to left center to give Whitewater the 10-9 lead. Mimi Ramirez (Chicago, IL/Trinity) followed with a walk and two batters later Morgan Krisch (Plainfield, IL/Central) launched a ball clear over the foul pole down the right field line for her ninth four-bagger of the season.

UW-W's defense held the Titans scoreless in the next two innings while the offense continued to roll adding single runs in the bottom of the fourth and fifth to increase the lead to 14-9. 

Oshkosh did not go quietly, with Kassie Krueger adding some more Titan offense with a homerun to center in the top of the sixth. Katie Koepsel posted another run with a round-tripper in the top of the seventh with two outs. Sporer sealed the win with a groundout.

Five Warhawks recorded multiple hits in the game led by Schobert's perfect 3-for-3 performance at the plate. Evangelista went 3-for-4 in the batter's box with two runs scored and two runs batted in. 

Freshman righthander Stephanie Waller (Oak Lawn, IL/Richards) was credited with the win. The righty pitched 3.2 innings of relief retiring four Titans by strikeout while walking one for her fourth win of the season.

UW-W will continue WIAC play with a doubleheader against UW-Superior Saturday beginning at 12 pm at van Steenderen Field in Whitewater. The twinbill was originally slated to be played in Superior but has been moved to Whitewater due to field conditions.


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