The University of Wisconsin-Whitewater softball team held leads past the halfway point in each of the games it played Thursday afternoon but fell in back-to-back contests at UW-Oshkosh in a Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference doubleheader.
 
The Warhawks (11-7 overall, 1-3 WIAC) were defeated 5-4 in the opener after the Titans plated three runs in the bottom of the seventh. UW-W dropped a 9-4 decision in Game 2 after UW-Oshkosh scored seven runs in the bottom of the fifth to take the lead for good.
 
In Game 1, catcher Nikki Mikosz (Wheeling, Ill./Wheeling) knocked a pair of home runs, including a two-run shot in the top of the second inning to give UW-Whitewater a 2-1 lead and a solo homer to lead off the top of the fifth.
 
The Warhawks' advantage increased to three runs later in the fifth on a run-scoring single through the left side by designated player Kennedy Cox (Janesville, Wis./Craig).
 
Pitcher Kate Cleveland (DePere, Wis./Ashwaubenon) dropped to 4-3 on the year with the loss, striking out four over 6 1/3 innings.
 
Third baseman Meg Cohrs (Elburn, Ill./Kaneland), right fielder Meghan Dunning (Plainfield, Ill./South) and second baseman Delaney Becker (Tinley Park, Ill./Lincoln-Way East) also tallied hits for UW-Whitewater. Centerfielder Vera Pflugradt (Lake Zurich, Ill./Stevenson) reached base twice on a pair of walks.
 
In the nightcap, the Warhawks led 4-2 through 4 1/2 innings before the Titans (10-4, 2-0) broke the game open in the bottom of the fifth.
 
Cox totaled a team-high three hits, and left fielder Krista Sbarra (West Chicago, Ill./St. Charles East) posted two hits and two RBIs. Mikosz collected a two-run double and added two walks at the plate. Becker and first baseman Kaleigh O'Brien (Crystal Lake, Ill./Prairie Ridge) each registered one hit and one run scored.
 
Starting pitcher Rhiann Dick (Palatine, Ill./Palatine) took the loss, falling to 3-3 for the season. Kathryn Kinsella (Chicago, Ill./Loyola Academy), Annie Morelli (Mundelein, Ill./Mundelein) and Marissa Adams (Le Roy, Ill./Le Roy) each made appearances in relief.
 
UW-Whitewater continues play on the road this Saturday at UW-Stout. First pitch of the WIAC doubleheader is set for 2 p.m.