The University of Wisconsin-Whitewater softball team extended its win streak to four games and improved to 9-1 over its last 10 contests Wednesday with back-to-back victories over UW-Oshkosh in a non-conference doubleheader at van Steenderen Softball Complex.
 
The Warhawks (20-8 overall) defeated the Titans 7-2 in the first game before capping the day with a 10-4 triumph in Game 2.
 
In the opener, UW-Whitewater trailed 2-1 before plating six unanswered runs, including three in the bottom of the fourth and three in the fifth.
 
Catcher Nikki Mikosz (Wheeling, Ill./Wheeling) put the Warhawks on the board first with a run-scoring single to center in the bottom of the first.
 
After UW-Oshkosh (15-9) tied the game in the top of the second and took the lead in the top of the fourth, UW-W took the lead for good with three runs in the bottom of the inning on a three-run homer by right fielder Taylor Briehl (Spring Green, Wis./River Valley), her second of the year.
 
In the fifth, second baseman Delaney Becker (Tinley Park, Ill./Lincoln-Way East) delivered the big hit with a two-run base hit up the middle. Later in the frame, left fielder Krista Sbarra (West Chicago, Ill./St. Charles East) extended the lead with a two-out, RBI single to right center.
 
Kate Cleveland (DePere, Wis./Ashwaubenon) earned the win in relief of starter Rhiann Dick (Palatine, Ill./Palatine), tossing four shutout innings to improve to 7-3 on the year. Dick allowed two runs (one earned) over the first three frames.
 
Briehl finished 3-for-3 at the plate, while Mikosz and Becker each contributed two hits.
 
In the second game, UW-Whitewater turned a 4-3 deficit into a four-run lead with five in the bottom of the fifth inning, including a two-run homer by Mikosz, a two-run single by Briehl and an RBI single by centerfielder Vera Pflugradt (Lake Zurich, Ill./Stevenson).
 
Mikosz recorded there hits and three RBIs, while third baseman Meg Cohrs (Elburn, Ill./Kaneland) homered and finished with two hits and two RBIs. Shortstop Meghan Dunning (Plainfield, Ill./South) tallied two hits, two runs scored and one RBI, Becker finished with two hits and one RBI, and first baseman Kaleigh O'Brien (Crystal Lake, Ill./Prairie Ridge) collected two hits and two runs scored.
 
Starting pitcher Mallory Hollatz (Lockport, Ill./Lockport Township) struck out seven over four innings, scattering seven hits and allowing one run. Marissa Adams (Le Roy, Ill./Le Roy), who improved to 3-1 with the win, pitched the fifth inning, and Kate Cleveland (DePere, Wis./Ashwaubenon) tossed two shutout innings to close out the game.
 
The Warhawks host UW-Eau Claire on Senior Day at van Steenderen Softball Complex this Saturday. First pitch of the doubleheader is set for 2 p.m.