Oshkosh, Wis. -- The UW-Whitewater softball team secured their spot in a WIAC Tournament Semifinal with a 2-1 win over UW-La Crosse Friday afternoon in Oshkosh.
The Warhawks advance to face the second-seed UW-Platteville Saturday at 1:30. The winner of that game moves on to face the winner between UW-Stevens Point and UW-Oshkosh for the title Saturday at 4 PM. The WIAC Tournament champion receives the league's automatic bid into the NCAA tournament.
Friday's quarterfinal was a pitcher's duel with just six combined hits between the two squads. The Warhawks broke the stalemate in the bottom of the third with one of the biggest hits of the contest. The freshman sent a ball deep to left center that easily cleared the tall wall at Nienhaus Stadium for the 1-0 UWW lead.
The Eagles were able to get the leadoff batter on in the fourth, but the UWW defense held. In the fifth, righty
Josie Hammen (Combined Locks, Wis./Kimberly) struck out the side. The sixth saw UWL knot the game on a homer of their own, but UW-Whitewater had the response in the bottom of the frame.
Bella Eggert (Carol Stream, Ill./Glenbard North) drew a one-out walk. With two outs,
Dani Peshia (Newark, Ill./Newark Community) connected on a single to right field. The speedy Eggert caused chaos on the basepaths, rounding second and heading for third. The right fielder's throw missed up the line into right field allowing the speedster to score for the 2-1 lead.
UW-La Crosse opened the top of the seventh with a flare single to right center. The Warhawks retired the next three batters to secure the win.
Hammen tossed a complete game gem striking out eight while scattering four hits across seven innings of work.
