Sports

Warhawk Softball Splits First Two of WIAC Championship Series

By Chris Lindeke
Assistant Athletic Director, Strategic Communications and Branding
University of Wisconsin-Whitewater

Saturday, May 15, 2021

Game 1 Box Score

Game 2 Box Score

The University of Wisconsin-Whitewater softball team forced a third and decisive game in the final series of the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Championship Presented by Culver’s Saturday with a 9-0 victory in six innings at UW-Oshkosh.

After a 2-1 setback in the opener, the Warhawks (29-9 overall) posted 14 hits and held the Titans’ offense to two hits in the nightcap.

Catcher Nikki Mikosz led the offense with three hits, including a two-run homer. Outfielder Vera Pflugradt posted two hits, including a home, two runs scored and two runs batted in, and right fielder Taylor Briehl plated a pair of runs.

Third baseman Meg Cohrs tallied two hits, one run scored and one RBI, and shortstop Meghan Dunning recorded one hit and two runs scored. Left fielder Krista Sbarra finished 2-for-3 with one run scored, and first baseman Kaleigh O’Brien plated one run.

Mallory Hollatz pitched all six innings for UW-Whitewater, striking out three to improve to 4-0 for the year. She ran into trouble in the top of the fourth when the Titans (23-11) had runners at second and third with one out and the bases loaded with two outs, but induced a flyout to end the frame.

In the opener, UW-Oshkosh scored on a UW-W error in the bottom of the fifth to take the lead, but Mikosz plated Pflugradt with one out in the sixth to tie the game at 1-1.

The game went to extra innings after neither team pushed a run across in the seventh.

In the eighth, the Warhawks left two runners on base, and UW-Oskhosh scored on a two-out double to snap UW-W’s 12-game winning streak entering the day.

Pitcher Rhiann Dick took the tough luck loss, falling to 7-5 on the season. She struck out three batters and scattered five hits over 7 2/3 innings.

Sunday’s game is scheduled to begin at 12 p.m. in Oshkosh.

No. 3 UW-W Baseball Clinches WIAC Regular Season Title

By Chris Lindeke
Assistant Athletic Director, Strategic Communications and Branding
University of Wisconsin-Whitewater

Game 1 Box Score

Game 2 Box Score

The No. 3 ranked University of Wisconsin-Whitewater baseball team secured a share of the program’s fourth straight Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference regular season championship and 20th in program history Saturday with back-to-back, run-rule wins over UW-Eau Claire at Prucha Field at James B. Miller Stadium.

The Warhawks (33-5 overall, 24-4 WIAC), who have earned the No. 2 seed in next week’s WIAC Championship, defeated the Blugolds 12-2 in seven innings in the opener before posting a 14-4 victory in Game 2 in eight innings.

Between games, UW-Whitewater recognized seniors Nick Santoro, Connor Spear, Jason Abatto, Taylor White, Connor Moroder, Ben Wilkins, Tucker Criswell, Jim Jarecki, Matt O’Sullivan and Director of Baseball Operations Ryan Hogan, who all graduated from the institution Saturday.

The Warhawks scored in all six of their at-bats during the first game, including a five-run third inning that included a three-run homer by left fielder Matt Korman.

First baseman Donovan Brandl finished 3-for-3 with two runs scored, while right fielder Jacob DeMeyer collected two hits, one walk, one run scored and two runs batted in. Korman plated four runs.

Criswell and Santoro tallied two hits and one run scored apiece. White homered and posted two hits, one walk, two runs scored and one RBI. Catcher Ryan Norton reached base twice with one hit and one walk and scored two runs, and second baseman Sam Vomhof registered one hit, one walk, one run scored and one RBI.

Starting pitcher Connor Spear struck out five batters over six innings of work to improve to 5-0 on the year. Ben Muscatello tossed a perfect seventh in relief.

In the nightcap, the two teams combined to leave 20 runners on base.

UW-Whitewater scored three in the bottom of the first to take an early advantage thanks to a two-run triple by White and an RBI infield single by Korman, but the Blugolds (5-33, 5-23) drew to within one after plating a pair in the top of the third.

Vomhof and Criswell hit back-to-back triples to open the third, with Criswell coming around to score on a passed ball. In the fourth, DeMeyer smashed a two-run double to left and White added a run-scoring single to right.

UW-Eau Claire threatened again in the sixth with two runs in and the bases loaded, but reliever Max Huseboe pitched out of the jam as UW-W held a 9-4 lead.

In the sixth, first baseman Ben Wilkins knocked a two-run double to left center, and Norton plated Wilkins on a squeeze bunt to make it 12-4.

The Warhawks tallied once in the seventh on a Criswell sacrifice fly, and pinch hitter Connor Moroder ended the game in the eighth by run rule on a single to deep right with the bases loaded.

Brandl (6-1) pitched five innings, scattering five hits and allowing two runs with a pair of strikeouts. Huseboe pitched the sixth, and Kade Lancour added two scoreless frames in relief.

UW-Whitewater concludes the regular season Sunday with a non-conference game at UW-Oshkosh. First pitch is slated for 1 p.m.

UW-Whitewater Golf Finishes 12th at NCAA Championship

By Chris Lindeke
Assistant Athletic Director, Strategic Communications and Branding
University of Wisconsin-Whitewater

Friday, May 14, 2021

UW-Whitewater Golf Finishes 12th at NCAA Championship

Results

The University of Wisconsin-Whitewater golf team wrapped up its 2021 season Friday by placing 12th at the 72-hole NCAA Division III Women’s Golf Championship at Forest Akers Golf Course in Lansing, Mich.

The Warhawks moved up one spot on the fourth of four days at the national tournament, recording their best team score of the week to finish with a 1,312 (325-330-336-321), only 10 strokes shy of a top-10 finish.

UW-W also placed 12th at the 2018 national tournament and finished 13th in its most recent appearance in 2019.

Ashton Sinak led the Warhawks with a 322 (82-77-84-79), good for a tie for 31st out of 131 players in the field. Kristin Bowe also submitted a sub-80 score on the final day to place 34th overall with a 323 (83-82-82-76).

CheyAnn Knudsen tied for 65th with her score of 335 (80-87-85-83), and Kelly Storti posted a 344 (92-84-85-83) to finish 78th.

Lily Sheppard carded a 359 (80-99-93-87) to place 80th overall.

Bowe, Knudsen and Storti wrap up their careers after helping UW-Whitewater win four consecutive Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference championships and reach the NCAA Championship three straight times.

Whippet Soccer Falls to Edgerton 2-1

Article Submitted by Maddy Blain
Whitewater High School Head Girls’ Soccer Coach
mblain@wwusd.org

The Whitewater Girls’ Soccer Team took on conference opponent Edgerton Thursday night, May 13, at home. The teams were evenly matched and played an exciting game.

Whitewater fell 2-1, with Mayte Navejas scoring the Whippet’s goal.

The team looks forward to another competitive match on Monday! 

UW-Whitewater Women’s Tennis Advances to NCAA Second Round

By Chris Lindeke
Assistant Athletic Director, Strategic Communications and Branding
University of Wisconsin-Whitewater

Friday, May 14, 2021

Results

The University of Wisconsin-Whitewater women’s tennis team posted a 5-0 victory against Concordia Wisconsin on Friday afternoon in the first round of the NCAA Division III Championship at Wangerin Courts in Whitewater.

With their 12th straight dual win, the Warhawks (13-5 overall) advance to face St. Thomas (Minn.) in Saturday’s second round match at 2:30 p.m. UW-W has now advanced to the second round or further in each of its last 11 NCAA Tournament appearances.

UW-Whitewater took all three doubles points for a 3-0 advantage. Paige Nierman and Olivia Kraft combined for an 8-3 triumph at the No. 2 position, and Molly Rueth and Courtney Day followed suit with a victory by the same score at No. 3.

After falling behind 4-3 at the No. 1 slot, Sabrina Palavra and Kasey Schlicht rattled off five straight games for an 8-4 win.

Jessica Minkov put the Warhawks on the board in singles play with a 6-0, 6-0 triumph at the No. 6 position. Kraft ended the match at decision with a 6-1, 6-0 victory at the third position.

St. Thomas (13-3) is the Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference champion.

Dunning’s Homer Sends UW-W Softball to WIAC Championship

By Chris Lindeke
Assistant Athletic Director, Strategic Communications and Branding
University of Wisconsin-Whitewater

Thursday, May 13, 2021

Dunning’s Homer Sends UW-Whitewater Softball to WIAC Championship

Box Score

WIAC Championship Web Page

The University of Wisconsin-Whitewater softball team punched its ticket to the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference championship series Thursday with a thrilling 2-1 victory over UW-Stevens Point in a conference tournament semifinal presented by Culver’s at van Steenderen Softball Complex.

Leading off the bottom of the eighth with the score tied at 1-1, shortstop Meghan Dunning hit the first pitch she saw over the center field fence to send the Warhawks to Saturday’s best-of-three final at top-seeded UW-Oshkosh.

Marissa Adams pitched a pair of scoreless innings in relief to earn the win and improve to 5-1 on the year. Rhiann Dick started the game and allowed one run over six innings of work.

The Pointers (23-16) took the lead in the top of the fifth with a solo home run.

UW-Whitewater, which was held hitless until designated player Kennedy Cox led off the fifth inning with a single up the middle, tied the game in the bottom of the sixth. Centerfielder Vera Pflugradt led off the inning with a base hit and was sacrificed to second by Dunning.

With two outs and Pflugradt at second, third baseman Meg Cohrs was intentionally walked, and first baseman Kaleigh O’Brien hit one through the left side to plate the tying run.

After a 1-2-3 top of the seventh from Adams, second baseman Delaney Becker reached on an error to start the bottom half of the frame, but UW-W was unable to put another runner on base, sending the game into extra innings.

Adams didn’t allow a runner in the top of the eighth to set up Dunning’s walk-off homer, her eighth of the year.

Saturday’s best-of-three series begins at 12 p.m. in Oshkosh. If the two teams split Saturday’s games, a third game will be played to decide the title.

No. 3 Warhawk Baseball Splits on the Road

By Chris Lindeke
Assistant Athletic Director, Strategic Communications and Branding
University of Wisconsin-Whitewater

Wednesday, May 12, 2021

No. 3 Warhawk Baseball Splits on the Road

Game 1 Box Score

Game 2 Box Score

The No. 3 ranked University of Wisconsin-Whitewater baseball team retained its first-place standing in the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference standings Wednesday with an 11-1 victory at UW-Eau Claire.

The Warhawks (31-5 overall, 22-4 WIAC) saw their 11-game winning streak snapped in the opener with an 11-1 setback in seven innings before rebounding in the nightcap.

UW-Whitewater broke open Game 2 with a four-run top of the fourth inning that included a run-scoring single by centerfielder Zach Campbell, a two-run double by third baseman Tucker Criswell and a sacrifice bunt by right fielder Jacob DeMeyer to plate a run.

Pitcher Matt O’Sullivan allowed one run and struck out 10 over eight innings to improve to 9-0 on the year. Connor Moroder pitched around a two-out walk for a scoreless ninth frame.

Campbell finished with three hits, including a solo homer to lead off the game, and added two runs scored and four runs batted in. Designated hitter Ben Wilkins collected three hits, including one double, and tallied two runs scored and one RBI.

Shortstop Nick Santoro registered two hits, one run scored and one RBI, and second baseman Sam Vomhof and catcher Ryan Norton each reached base three times with two walks and one hit while scoring one run. First baseman Donovan Brandl also knocked in one run.

In the first game, the Warhawks were held to a season-low two hits, and the Blugolds (5-31, 5-21) broke a 1-1 tie with two runs in the bottom of the fourth inning and three in the bottom of the fifth. UW-Eau Claire added five more in the bottom of the seventh to end the game via run rule.

Left fielder Matt Korman plated a run for UW-W with a groundout in the fourth inning, and recorded one hit. Santoro reached base twice with one hit and one walk, and DeMeyer walked and scored one run.

Pitcher Westin Muir dropped to 7-1 with the loss, tossing 4 2/3 innings. Brandl, Hayden Fox and Trey Bretl all appeared in relief.

UW-Whitewater hosts UW-Eau Claire for two more league games this Saturday. First pitch of the doubleheader is slated for 1 p.m. at Prucha Field at Miller Stadium.

UW-Whitewater Women’s Tennis to Host NCAA Regional Friday-Sunday

By Chris Lindeke
Assistant Athletic Director, Strategic Communications and Branding
University of Wisconsin-Whitewater

uwwsports.com

Tuesday, May 11, 2021

UW-Whitewater Women’s Tennis to Host NCAA Regional Friday-Sunday

Related Links:

NCAA Announcement

The University of Wisconsin-Whitewater women’s tennis team will host six teams for the first three rounds of the NCAA Division III Championship this Friday-Sunday at Wangerin Courts in Whitewater.

The Warhawks (12-5 overall) will face Concordia Wisconsin, the Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference champion, on Friday at 2:30 p.m. Central Time. The winner will face St. Thomas (Minn.) in the second round on Saturday at 2:30 p.m.

Friday’s other first-round match-up includes Grinnell (Iowa) and Luther (Iowa) at 11 a.m. The winner will take on Kenyon (Ohio) in Saturday’s second round at 11 a.m.

The two remaining teams will compete for the regional title Sunday at 12 p.m.

UW-Whitewater claimed its 14th straight Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference championship on April 24-25 to punch its ticket to the NCAA Tournament for the 13th consecutive season.

The winner of this weekend’s regional advances to the NCAA Championship, which is set for May 24-26 in Chattanooga, Tenn.

See below for the schedule of this weekend’s matches. (All times Central Time)

Friday, May 14 – First Round

Match 1 – Grinnell vs. Luther, 11 a.m.

Match 2 – UW-Whitewater vs. Concordia Wisconsin, 2:30 p.m.

Saturday, May 15 – Second Round

Match 3 – Match 1 winner vs. Kenyon, 11 a.m.

Match 4 – Match 2 winner vs. St. Thomas, 2:30 p.m.

Sunday, May 16 – Third Round

Match 5 – Match 3 winner vs. Match 4 winner, 12 p.m.

Warhawk Softball Advances to WIAC Semifinals

By Chris Lindeke
Assistant Athletic Director, Strategic Communications and Branding
University of Wisconsin-Whitewater

uwwsports.com

Tuesday, May 11, 2021

Warhawk Softball Advances to WIAC Semifinals

Related Links:

Box Score

WIAC Championship Web Page

The University of Wisconsin-Whitewater softball team turned in a complete performance Tuesday afternoon to defeat UW-River Falls 9-0 in six innings in the quarterfinals of the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Softball Championship Presented by Culver’s at van Steenderen Softball Complex.

With the victory, the No. 2 seed Warhawks (27-8 overall) advance to Thursday’s semifinals, where they’ll host fourth-seeded UW-Stevens Point at 2 p.m. in Whitewater.

UW-W, which extended its win streak to 11 games, totaled 10 hits, including three home runs, and didn’t allow a Falcon runner to advance past second base in any of the final four frames.

UW-River Falls (11-18), the tournament’s No. 7 seed, loaded the bases with two outs in the top of the second before pitcher Rhiann Dick entered the game and induced a flyout to center to end the threat.

The Warhawks responded in the bottom half of the inning with five runs, including a two-run homer by second baseman Delaney Becker and a solo homer by right fielder Taylor Briehl. Catcher Nikki Mikosz plated two more runs to give UW-W a five-run advantage.

In the top of the third, Dick stranded two more base runners, and UW-Whitewater tacked on another run in the bottom half on Becker’s sacrifice fly.

Mikosz brought another run home in the fourth with a base hit to left center, and third baseman Meg Cohrs knocked a two-run homer to left in the bottom of the sixth to end the game via run rule.

Mikosz finished 2-for-3 with one run scored and three runs batted in, while shortstop Meghan Dunning collected two hits and two runs scored. Briehl finished 2-for-3, and Becker registered one run scored and three RBIs. First baseman Kaleigh O’Brien posted one hit, one walk and two runs scored.

Dick (7-4) tossed 4 1/3 innings in relief for the win. Starter Kate Cleveland didn’t allow a run in 1 2/3 innings of work.

UW-Stevens Point (23-15) downed UW-La Crosse by a 4-1 score in the quarterfinals to reach Thursday’s semifinal game.

Girls’ Soccer Sees Improvement

Article Submitted by Maddy Blain
Whitewater High School Head Girls Soccer Coach
mblain@wwusd.org

The Whitewater Girls’ Soccer team played their best game yet against Big Foot on Monday night. The girls played with passion and worked hard for the full 90 minutes, but ultimately fell 3-1.

Freshman midfielder Mayte Navejas scored the Whippets’ first official goal of the season, and keeper Cora Linos made save after save protecting the net.

The Whippets look forward to more conference play on Thursday!