| 2001 Highlights |
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Pitching Trio Receives All-Region Accolades
Selected from UW-Oshkosh were junior Adam Green to the first team, junior Brian Herzog to the second team and freshman Bruce Karnitz to the third team. Green, an Appleton native, posted a 7-1 record and 2.48 earned run average in 69 innings pitched. The first-year transfer from Madison Area Technical College, won his first-six decisions with the Titans before suffering a 4-3 setback to UW-Whitewater on May 2. Green struck out 57 batters and yielded just 14 walks while limiting opposing hitters to just a .243 batting average. His lone shutout among his eight starting assignments was a five-hit victory (3-0) over Ripon College on April 3. Herzog appeared in a team-high 14 games, fashioning a 6-2 record, two saves and a 2.26 earned run average in 55.2 innings pitched. The Manitowoc native struck out 37 batters and walked just nine during his five games as a starter and nine as a reliever. Herzog concluded the season by allowing just two earned runs in his last 20.1 innings pitched. A Sturgeon Bay native, Karnitz compiled a 6-1 record and a 2.56 earned run average in 52.2 innings pitched. Karnitz walked just six batters and posted a victory in his first-six starting assignments. Karnitz completed four of his seven starts, including a seven-hit, seven-inning victory (18-4) over Rhodes College on March 18 in his collegiate debut. Karnitz was one of only three freshmen named to one of the three NCAA Division III All-Midwest Region Teams. UW-Oshkosh registered a 29-9 overall record and a second-place mark of 10-3 in the WIAC during the 2001 season. Titans Land Four All-WIAC Selections
Pointers Sweep Titans For WIAC Tournament Title
UW-Oshkosh (29-9) played for the WIAC Tournament title after defeating UW-La Crosse and UW-Stevens Point on Friday (May 11) in scores of 7-5 and 4-2 respectively. The Titans needed only one win over UW-Stevens Point on Saturday, but failed in their effort and the result probably cost them a spot in the NCAA Division III Tournament. UW-Oshkosh jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the first inning of its first championship game with UW-Stevens Point as junior catcher Ben Stanley scored junior left fielder Ben Beno with an infield ground out. Following a one-out error, UW-Stevens Point took the lead for good in the third inning on run-scoring singles by first baseman Jon Jagler and shortstop Pat McCann and a run-scoring double by third baseman Jared Barker. UW-Stevens Point increased its lead to 5-1 before UW-Oshkosh scored twice in the seventh inning on a fielder's choice by sophomore first baseman Nick Henschel that scored both runs. The Titans left the bases loaded in the seventh inning and put their last rally for victory in the ninth by scoring one run and leaving the tying run on first base at game's end. UW-Oshkosh counted its last run on a two-out run-scoring single by junior third baseman Vince Mancuso, UW-Oshkosh was held to eight hits in the game by three UW-Stevens Point pitchers, including Jeremy Mueller who hurled seven innings for the win. Beno, Henschel and senior right fielder Andy Becker each totaled two hits for the Titans. Freshman Bruce Karnitz (6-1) took the pitching loss after yielding eight hits and four earned runs in three innings. Freshman Jordan Timm pitched the final six innings for UW-Oshkosh, allowing six hits and one run, unearned. The second championship game between UW-Oshkosh and UW-Stevens Point had all of its scoring in two innings, the third for the Titans and the fourth for the Pointers. UW-Oshkosh scored its run on a sacrifice fly by Beno, while UW-Stevens Point tallied runs on a run-scoring single by McCann, an error and a run-scoring single by catcher Eric Bennett. UW-Oshkosh, which left two runners on base in the sixth and seventh innings, was held to eight hits in the contest by four UW-Stevens Point pitchers, including Josh Blaha who pitched the first 5.1 innings to record the win. Beno had three of the Titans' hits, while Henschel had two. Junior Brian Herzog (6-2), who hurled five innings of relief on Friday to gain the win over UW-La Crosse, took the pitching loss despite giving up only eight hits and one earned run in nine innings of work. Titans Remain Unbeaten In WIAC Tournament
UW-Oshkosh (29-7) returns to action on Saturday (May 12) at 1 p.m. in Whitewater by playing either UW-La Crosse (15-14-1), UW-Stevens Point (26-12) or top-seed UW-Whitewater (30-8) in the conference tournament's championship game. If UW-Oshkosh would lose that game a second championship contest between the two teams would follow. Other results on Friday in the league's double-elimination event saw UW-Stevens Point defeat UW-Whitewater, 1-0. UW-Whitewater currently holds a 3-2 lead over UW-La Crosse in the ninth inning of a second round contest and that game will be resumed on Saturday at 9:30 a.m. after a hard rain suspended action. The winner of that game between UW-La Crosse and UW-Whitewater will meet UW-Stevens Point on Saturday at 10 a.m. for the right to meet UW-Oshkosh. A wet playing field played havoc for UW-Oshkosh and UW-La Crosse in its opening round matchup, and the result was nine errors and only three earned runs between the two teams. UW-Oshkosh scored three runs in the second inning to take an early lead before the Eagles clawed back to take a 5-4 advantage by scoring once in the seventh. UW-Oshkosh regained control of the contest by counting three runs in its half of the seventh inning, scoring runs on singles by junior left fielder Ben Beno and freshman second baseman Lucas Lechnir and on a sacrifice fly by senior shortstop Brian Horn. UW-Oshkosh won the game despite having five errors and totaling only seven hits. Freshman first baseman Joe Waksmonski had two of the Titans' seven safeties. UW-La Crosse compiled 12 hits in the contest and committed four errors. The Eagles left 14 runners on base, including three in the second and seventh innings. Junior Brian Herzog (6-1) gained the pitching win for UW-Oshkosh, going five innings in relief of freshman starter Jordan Timm who went the first two frames. Sophomore Dustin Reid hurled the final two innings to pick up his first career save. UW-Oshkosh made the most of five hits and overcame a 1-0 deficit midway through the contest to defeat UW-Stevens Point. The Titans were held hitless into the fifth inning before wiping away a 1-0 deficit on a run-scoring double by senior right fielder Andy Becker and a run-scoring single by junior catcher Ben Stanley in consecutive at bats. UW-Oshkosh extended its lead to 3-1 in the sixth inning on a sacrifice fly by Lechnir and 4-1 in the seventh on a solo home run by Stanley. UW-Stevens Point concluded the game's scoring on a solo home run by Mike McCann in the eighth inning. Stanley had two of UW-Oshkosh's five hits, with Becker, Horn and sophomore first baseman Nick Henschel having the others. Junior Adam Green (7-1) registered the pitching win for UW-Oshkosh, allowing just six hits and one earned run while striking out four batters in the nine-inning, complete game effort. Randy Bielmeier (4-4) took the pitching loss, going eight innings and allowing five hits and four earned runs, Titans Split In WIAC Regular Season Finale
The Titans came up just short. UW-La Crosse won the opener, 3-2, breaking a 14-game, 23-year losing streak against UW-Oshkosh, and the Titans rebounded to win the nightcap, 9-5. UW-Whitewater swept UW-Stout, 10-6 in 10 innings and 11-10, on Saturday and will host the league tournament next weekend at Prucha Field. With the wins, UW-Whitewater clinched the WIAC regular season title. UW-Oshkosh will be the event's second seed. In the opener against UW-La Crosse, UW-Oshkosh wasted a fine pitching performance by sophomore Dustin Reid, who was making his first appearance of the season. Reid (0-1) struck out eight batters and allowed three runs in 7 2/3 innings before giving way to junior Brian Herzog. But the Titans (27-7 and 10-3 in the WIAC) couldn't score after posting two runs in the third inning. Senior right fielder Andy Becker had two hits, but no other UW-Oshkosh batter had more than one. In the seventh inning, a single by catcher Mike Smith and a sacrifice fly by pinch hitter Ryan Ernster pushed home the tying and go-ahead runs for the Eagles (14-13-1 and 7-5 in the WIAC). In the nightcap, UW-Oshkosh scored four runs in the top of the ninth inning to pull away. Freshman designated hitter Joe Waksmonski's two-run home run was the big hit for the Titans in the inning. Freshman second baseman Lucas Lechnir went four-for-four in the second game, including a solo home run in the second inning. Waksmonski and sophomore first baseman Nick Henschel added two hits apiece. Herzog (5-1) earned the win, working five innings of scoreless relief after replacing starter Derek Koch, a senior. Titans Sweep Falcons To Improve To 26-6
UW-Whitewater (28-7) leads all WIAC combatants with a 10-2 league mark, while UW-Oshkosh follows in second place at 9-2 and UW-Stevens Point (24-9) in third at 7-3. UW-Whitewater closes conference play on Saturday (May 5) at UW-Stout, with UW-Oshkosh playing its final games on Saturday at UW-La Crosse and if needed on Sunday (May 6) in Madison (10 a.m. at Warner Park) against UW-Platteville (11-17). Mancuso was the hitting star for the Titans in the doubleheader as he went four-for-six at the plate with three home runs, five runs batted in and four runs scored. Mancuso, now with seven round trippers on the season, belted a solo home run in the third inning of game one, a two-run home run in the fifth inning of game one and a two-run home run in the sixth inning of game two. UW-Oshkosh jumped out to a 6-0 lead in game one, with the Falcons cutting the deficit with a pair of runs in each of the fourth and eighth innings. The Titans tallied three runs in the second inning on senior right fielder Andy Becker's solo home run and junior left fielder Ben Beno's two-run double. The Titans totaled 14 hits in the opener as Beno and Mancuso led the way with three each. Sophomore first baseman Nick Henschel and junior center fielder Derek Peppler also contributed to the attack with two safeties each. Freshman Jordan Timm (4-1) gained the pitching win by allowing just six hits and striking out a career-best 11 batters in eight innings or work. Junior Brian Herzog pitched a scoreless ninth inning to record his second save of the year. The second contest blew open in the third inning as the Titans scored seven runs on five hits and one UW-River Falls error. Driving in runs for UW-Oshkosh were senior shortstop Brian Horn with a run-scoring single, Beno with a two-run double, Henschel with a run-scoring single and Becker with a run-scoring double. Following a run by the Falcons in their half of the third inning the Titans closed the scoring in the seventh with three runs, highlighted by Mancuso's two-run home run. UW-Oshkosh had 10 hits in the nightcap, with Beno and Peppler having two each. Becker extended his consecutive game hitting streak to 17 games in the second game, while Beno increased his 16, both personal bests. Freshman Bruce Karnitz (6-0) pitched the nine-inning, complete game victory, allowing just seven hits while striking out one batter. Losses Drop Titans Out Of WIAC Lead
With the sweep over UW-Oshkosh (24-6), UW-Whitewater (26-7) moves into first place in the WIAC standings with an 8-2 league record. Previously unbeaten UW-Oshkosh occupies second place in the league rankings with a 7-2 ledger, while UW-Stevens Point (24-9) is in third with a 7-3 mark. The Titans close league play this weekend with doubleheaders on Friday (May 4) at UW-River Falls and Saturday (May 5) at UW-La Crosse. The first game between UW-Oshkosh and UW-Whitewater was a pitching duel between staff aces Adam Green of the Titans and Brady Endl of the Warhawks. The freshman Endl (8-0) pitched all nine innings, scattering nine hits, allowing two earned runs and striking out 11 batters. With UW-Oshkosh runner(s) on base, Endl struck out the last out in the fourth, fifth, seventh and eighth innings. The junior Green (6-1) hurled all eight innings, yielding 10 hits, allowing two earned runs and striking out seven batters. UW-Whitewater jumped to a 3-0 lead in the opener before UW-Oshkosh freshman second baseman Lucas Lechnir cut the Titans' deficit to 3-2 with a two-run home run in the fourth inning. Following a UW-Whitewater tally in its half of the fourth inning, the turning point of contest occurred in the fifth inning when UW-Oshkosh failed to score after loading the bases with nobody out. Among UW-Oshkosh's nine hits were two each by Lechnir and freshman left fielder Steve Wiczek. The second game, the 154th meeting between the Titans and the Warhawks, was all UW-Whitewater. The Warhawks extended a 2-0 advantage in the third inning by scoring seven runs on five hits and two UW-Oshkosh errors, including a three-run home run by center fielder Travis Van Zile. UW-Whitewater also added two runs in both the fourth and fifth innings and one in the sixth. UW-Whitewater pitcher Ryan Callahan (6-0) yielded just three hits to UW-Oshkosh, with senior right fielder Andy Becker getting a double in the second inning and a single in the fourth and junior center fielder getting a single in the sixth. Becker has now hit safely in 15 consecutive games and Beno 14. Junior Brian Herzog (4-1) took the pitching loss for the Titans, lasting only three innings after allowing seven earned runs and seven hits. Titans Drop Pioneers, Second Game Postponed
Due to a potential campus-wide meningitis outbreak discovered mid-afternoon at UW-Oshkosh, the second game between the Titans and the Pioneers was postponed. In addition, UW-Oshkosh's doubleheader at UW-Whitewater on Saturday (April 28) has also been postponed, with a makeup date set for Wednesday (May 2). UW-Oshkosh's win over UW-Platteville gave the Titans a 24-4 overall record and a 7-0 mark in the WIAC. The Titans lead second-place UW-Whitewater by 1 1/2 games in the league standings. UW-Oshkosh jumped out to a 4-0 lead after three innings before UW-Platteville cut the deficit to 4-1 with a tally in the sixth inning. The Titans closed the game's scoring with two runs in the seventh inning and one in the eighth. The Titans banged out 16 hits off three UW-Platteville pitchers, including three each by junior center fielder Ben Beno, sophomore first baseman Nick Henschel and freshman catcher Korey Feiner. Henschel singled in the first, seventh and eighth innings, with his safety in the opening frame knocking in the game's first run. Freshman left fielder Steve Wiczek added two hits in the contest, a run-scoring double in the second inning and a run-scoring single in the seventh. Freshman Bruce Karnitz raised his pitching record to 5-0 by scattering nine hits and striking out five batters in nine innings of work. Streaks End As Titans Split Twinbill With Vikings
UW-Oshkosh's setback in the opener snapped a 12-game winning streak and established the first loss for the Titans in 16 meetings with Lawrence University. The Vikings entered the twinbill winless in 18 decisions before counting the highest-run total by a team against UW-Oshkosh (23-4) in 19 games. UW-Oshkosh jumped out to a 6-1 lead after four innings of the first game, scoring three times in each of the third and fourth frames. The Titans benefited from senior right fielder Andy Becker's two-run single in the third inning and junior center fielder Ben Beno's run-scoring single in the fourth. After scoring one run in the third inning and three in the fourth off UW-Oshkosh starting pitcher Matt Lewin, Lawrence University tallied four runs in the sixth inning off freshman pitcher Mike Hall for an 8-6 lead. UW-Oshkosh tied the score with two runs in the sixth inning, but Lawrence University closed the scoring and gained the win by plating two runs off losing pitcher Derek Koch (3-2) in the seventh. The Titans totaled just eight hits in the first game, with three belonging to Beno. UW-Oshkosh managed just three hits in its final five at bats. Koch took the pitching loss despite allowing just one hit in three innings of work. In the nightcap, it was all UW-Oshkosh as the Titans scored 14 runs with the aid of 14 hits. The Vikings scored their lone run in the top half of the first inning, but quickly fell behind as the Titans answered in the bottom portion of the opening frame with six runs on four hits, including a two-run triple by senior third baseman Brian Horn and a two-run single by freshman catcher Korey Feiner, in the bottom half. Adding to the score with one run in the fifth inning, UW-Oshkosh blew the game open by tallying seven runs on eight hits and one Lawrence University error in the sixth. The Titans had seven straight batters record hits in the inning, including freshman right fielder Steve Wiczek who recorded a two-run single. UW-Oshkosh's 14 hits in the second game included two each by sophomore left fielder Nick Henschel, freshman second baseman Lucas Lechnir, Horn and Wiczek. Freshman pitcher Jordan Timm (3-1) turned in his best performance of the season, allowing just two hits and striking out four batters during the seven-inning, complete game victory. Titans Retain Grasp Of WIAC Lead
UW-Stout (15-5-1/0-4) built a 1-0 lead after the first batter of game one as second baseman Brad O'Connell belted a solo home run. Beginning with the third inning, UW-Oshkosh changed the scoreboard count often, counting two runs in the third, four in the fourth, one in the fifth, two in the sixth and three in the seventh. The Titans took the lead for good in the third inning on a run-scoring double by junior third baseman Eric Servais. UW-Stout closed its scoring with three runs in the fifth inning and one in the ninth, another solo home run by O'Connell. UW-Oshkosh totaled 18 hits in the first game, with Servais collecting four and six other players two each. In addition to his run-scoring double in the third inning, Servais also had a two-run home run in the fourth inning, a run-scoring single in the fifth and a single in the seventh. Junior center fielder Ben Beno, who singled home UW-Oshkosh's first run of the game in the third inning, belted a solo home run in the seventh. Junior Adam Green (6-0) gained the pitching win for the Titans in the opener, scattering 12 hits and striking out 12 batters in the nine-inning, complete game victory. UW-Oshkosh fell behind 1-0 in the top half of the first inning of the second game, but quickly answered with two runs in its first at bat. The Titans evened the scored on a solo home run by Beno and took a 2-1 advantage on a run-scoring double by junior catcher Ben Stanley. Both teams plated one run in the third inning, with UW-Oshkosh taking the lead for good with its tally on a run-scoring single by freshman designated hitter Lucas Lechnir. The Titans opened their advantage in the fourth inning by scoring four times, highlighted by a two-run double by junior first baseman Nick Henschel. Following a run-scoring single by Henschel in the sixth inning, UW-Oshkosh closed the game's scoring in the seventh on a grand slam by junior left fielder Vince Mancuso. UW-Oshkosh registered 17 hits in the nightcap, with Beno and Mancuso having three each and five other players two apiece. Junior pitcher Brian Herzog (4-0) allowed 11 hits and struck out seven batters en route to the nine-inning, complete game victory. The doubleheader saw 10 batters be hit by a pitch, including UW-Oshkosh senior shortstop Brian Horn who was tagged five times. Titans Sting Yellowjackets Twice
UW-Oshkosh tallied the first-eight runs in the opening contest, scoring four times in the fifth inning and twice in both the second and sixth frames. The Titans extended a 2-0 lead in the fifth inning by scoring four runs on four hits, including a run-scoring single by sophomore first baseman Nick Henschel. UW-Oshkosh made the count 8-0 in the sixth inning when junior third baseman Eric Servais blasted a two-run home run to right field. UW-Superior, playing its first game since March 23, cut the deficit to 8-2 in the seventh inning when first baseman Levi Scheeler belted a two-run home run to right field. The home run came one inning after the Yellowjackets left the bases loaded. UW-Oshkosh totaled nine hits in the opener, with Servais collecting three and Henschel two. Freshman Bruce Karnitz (4-0) hurled all nine innings to gain the pitching win, scattering 10 hits and striking out three batters. UW-Oshkosh came from behind to win the nightcap, rallying from a 4-0 deficit with three runs in the fourth inning, one in both the sixth and seventh frames and four in the eighth. UW-Superior took a 1-0 lead in the opening moments of the second game as second baseman Brent Opsahl, the second batter of the game, singled home right fielder Jon Reimer who doubled to open the contest. The Yellowjackets built their lead to 4-0 in the third inning by scoring three runs on four hits, including a run-scoring single by Scheeler. The Titans began to dwindle its deficit in the fourth inning by scoring three runs on two hits, including a two-run single by Henschel. Servais tied the game at 4-4 in the sixth inning with a run-scoring single before Henschel stepped up to the plate in the seventh and laced a run-scoring single for a 5-4 lead. The Titans opener their advantage in the eighth inning by plating four runs, two on a bases-loaded single by junior center fielder Ben Beno and one on a bases-loaded single by junior designated hitter Derek Peppler. UW-Oshkosh recorded 11 hits in the nightcap, including two by Henschel and junior left fielder Vince Mancuso. Freshman Ben Huffman started on the mound for the Titans, but was relieved by senior Derek Koch in the fourth inning. Koch (3-1) pitched the final six innings to gain the win, limiting the Yellowjackets to just four hits and only two base runners to second base. Titans Sweep Pair From Raiders
The Titans improved to 18-3 overall heading into a WIAC doubleheader against UW-Superior on Friday (April 20). Freshman pitcher Jordan Timm won the first game for the Titans, scattering six hits and a walk while striking out seven batters. Junior left fielder Ben Beno and junior third baseman Eric Servais had two hits each in the opener to lead UW-Oshkosh. The Titans scored four runs in the fourth inning to give Timm the cushion he needed. Freshman pitcher Matt Lewin started the nightcap for the Titans and went six innings. He gave way to freshman Mike Hall, an infielder who was making his collegiate pitching debut. Senior Derek Koch pitched the ninth inning. Servais went five-for-five at the plate with three runs batted in during the second game, while Beno added two safeties in five plate appearances. The Titans scored three runs in the seventh inning to pull away. Titans Take Pair From Pointers
But Saturday (April 14) at Tiedemann Field, the Titans kicked that monkey to the curb, winning 11-5 and 2-1 in the WIAC openers for both teams. The wins came by two different methods. UW-Oshkosh (16-3 & 2-0 in the WIAC) used three offensive bursts to beat UW-Stevens Point ace Troy Bielmeier in the first game and dominant pitching by junior Brian Herzog in the second. UW-Oshkosh took a 2-0 lead in the first inning of game one when junior left fielder Ben Beno doubled home senior shortstop Brian Horn, and freshman designated hitter Joe Waksmonski singled home Beno. But UW-Stevens Point (15-8 and 0-2 in the WIAC) rallied back, with first baseman Jon Jagler and third baseman Paul Molitor driving in all five of their team's runs. Junior pitcher Adam Green was not as dominant as his previous two starts for UW-Oshkosh, but, managed to shut UW-Stevens Point out over the last four innings. Green (5-0) allowed five runs on eight hits with nine strikeouts and one walk, UW-Oshkosh hung on and got hot in the sixth inning. Senior right fielder Andy Becker's three-run home run tied things up, and after a walk and a bunt single by junior center fielder Derek Peppler, Beno triple home two runs. Beno gave the Titans extra insurance in the eighth inning with a three-run triple. Beno ended the first game with three hits and six runs batted in, while Horn, Waksmonski, Becker and freshman second baseman Lucas Lechnir had two hits apiece. In the second game, Herzog, who has been used primarily in relief this season, got off to a rocky start, as UW-Stevens Point second baseman and leadoff hitter Mike McCann reached base and scored on Jagler's sacrifice fly. But Herzog settled down and shut UW-Stevens Point down the rest of the way, stranding five runners over the last three innings, four of them in scoring position. Herzog (3-0) allowed just four hits and struck out eight batters en route to the complete game victory. UW-Stevens Point starter Bill Verbrick was outstanding as well, allowing just two runs on seven hits. But junior third baseman Eric Servais homered in the sixth inning to tie things for UW-Oshkosh, and Beno's run-scoring single in the seventh scored Becker with the eventual winning run. Waksmonski led UW-Oshkosh with two hits in the nightcap. Titans Reel In A Pair Of Wins From The Muskies
Senior pitcher Adam Green cemented his role as ace of the UW-Oshkosh pitching staff in game one by scattering four hits, allowing one run and striking out 11 batters in nine innings of work. Green (5-0) took a no-hitter into the eighth inning before allowing four singles and one run in a nine-pitch span. He wiggled his way out of a bases-loaded jam with nobody out in the eighth inning thanks to a pitcher-to-catcher-to-first double play. UW-Oshkosh took a 2-0 lead in the first inning of game one with the aid of run-scoring singles by junior catcher Ben Stanley and senior right fielder Andy Becker. Following an unearned run in the second inning, Stanley gave the Titans a 3-0 lead with a solo home run. UW-Oshkosh matched Lakeland College's score in the eighth inning when freshman second baseman Lucas Lechnir crossed home plate on a wild pitch. UW-Oshkosh totaled 13 hits in the opener, with Becker, Stanley, junior third baseman Eric Servais, junior left fielder Vince Mancuso and freshman designated hitter Joe Waksmonski having two each. Junior pitcher Brian Herzog faced only 16 batters in closing out the second game with five hitless innings. Herzog (2-0), who followed freshman Ben Huffman and senior Derek Koch on the mound, struck out four batters and gained the pitching decision after sophomore first baseman Nick Henschel singled with the bases loaded in the 12th inning. Henschel's game-winning hit was set up by a hit batsman, a fielder's choice, a walk and another hit batsman. UW-Oshkosh (14-3) registered 12 hits in the second game, with Stanley and Henschel having three each and junior center fielder Ben Beno two. Stanley belted a solo home run in the second inning to tie the game at one, while Beno tallied a run-scoring single in the fifth inning to give the Titans a brief 3-1 advantage over the Muskies (11-10). Titans Sweep Sabres To Improve To 12-3
UW-Oshkosh (12-3) grabbed the lead early in the first game by counting three runs on three hits in the second inning, including a run-scoring double by freshman second baseman Lucas Lechnir and a run-scoring single by senior shortstop Brian Horn. The Titans extended their lead to 4-1 in the fourth inning on a run-scoring single by junior third baseman Eric Servais. Marian College (5-14) closed to within 4-3 in the fifth inning when third baseman Jake Fakes slashed a two-run single. Fakes had four of the Sabres' 10 hits in the contest and knocked in all three runs. UW-Oshkosh totaled nine hits in the opener, including two each by Horn, Servais and junior designated hitter Vince Mancuso. Freshman Bruce Karnitz upped his pitching log to 3-0 by going seven innings before being relieved by junior Brian Herzog. Karnitz scattered 10 hits and struck out three batters, while Herzog pitched two hitless innings to record his first career save. UW-Oshkosh exploded in the seven-inning nightcap, scoring 21 runs on 19 hits. The Titans scored three runs in the first and second innings, nine runs in the third inning, one run in the fourth and sixth innings and four runs in the fifth inning. UW-Oshkosh's nine-run third inning featured six hits, including three-run home runs by Lechnir and freshman designated hitter Joe Waksmonski and a two-run single by junior catcher Ben Stanley. The Titans' hit parade included four safeties from junior center fielder Ben Beno and three each from Horn and Lechnir. Horn had a pair of home runs in the game, a solo blast in the fourth inning and a two-run shot in the fifth. Freshman Jordan Timm collected his first pitching win, hurling all seven innings. Timm allowed just five hits while striking out seven batters. Titans Split With Red Hawks
The opening game was a pitching duel between Adam Green of UW-Oshkosh and Christopher Morgan of Ripon College. Green, a senior, raised his record to 3-0 by allowing just five hits during his nine-inning shutout victory. Green, who retired Ripon College in order in innings three through six, threw only 86 pitches in the game and faced just 32 batters, five over the minimum. Morgan faced 40 batters in the contest, scattering seven hits and recording nine strikeouts in his nine innings of work. UW-Oshkosh scored both of its runs in the first game after two were out, run-scoring singles by junior designated hitter Ben Beno in the seventh inning and junior third baseman Eric Servais in the ninth. Senior shortstop Brian Horn had three of the Titans' seven hits, singles in the first, seventh and ninth innings. Stellar pitching also kept the hitters at bay in the second game. UW-Oshkosh senior Derek Koch pitched 11.1 innings and saw his record fall to 2-1 despite give up just six hits and striking out three batters. Koch was relieved by junior Brian Herzog, who allowed the game-winning hit and logged one strikeout during his two batters faced in the 12th inning. Ripon College had two solid pitching performances as starter Nicholas Johnson allowed just six hits and struck out seven batters in nine innings, while reliever Steve Fauk allowed just two hits in three innings to pick up the win. Ripon College overcame a 1-0 deficit in the third inning by scoring three times. The Red Hawks tied the game on a run-scoring single by catcher Nicholas Thoen and took the lead on a two-run double by center fielder Pat Garland, both after two were out. UW-Oshkosh, which had three runners thrown out at the plate in the contest, made the count 3-2 in the seventh inning on a run-scoring double by Servais and 3-3 in the ninth inning on an infield ground out by Horn. Keeping the game tied after turning a double play in the 10th inning and stranding two UW-Oshkosh runners in the 12th, Ripon College won the game in the bottom of the 12th inning on a two-out run-scoring single by Johnson. His game-winning hit scored Luke Hagel who singled and advanced to second on a stolen base. UW-Oshkosh had three players with two hits each in nightcap, senior right fielder Andy Becker, Servais and junior catcher Ben Stanley. Titans Sweep Eagles In Home Debut
UW-Oshkosh built a 3-0 lead in the second inning of the first contest as senior right fielder Andy Becker and junior catcher Ben Stanley laced run-scoring singles and junior center fielder Derek Peppler knocked in a run with an infield ground out. Stanley extended the Titans' lead to 7-2 in the fifth inning with a two-run home run. Edgewood College made things interesting in the ninth inning as the Eagles scored four runs on six hits and one UW-Oshkosh error. Among the safeties for Edgewood College in the frame were run-scoring singles by catcher Rick Carpenter, right fielder Tom Reichwein and second baseman Travis Krahn. Down 7-6, Edgewood College loaded the bases before UW-Oshkosh senior pitcher Derek Koch recorded his second career save by getting pinch-hitter Brendan O'Brien to ground out to end the game. UW-Oshkosh had eight hits in the game, with Becker and Stanley getting two each. Freshman pitcher Bruce Karnitz went 8.2 innings on the mound before being relieved by Koch. Karnitz (2-0) allowed 11 hits, struck out one batter and was responsible for only two earned runs. In the second game, junior left fielder Vince Mancuso provided most of the offense for the Titans by belting a grand slam in the second inning and a three-run home run in the eighth. UW-Oshkosh opened the contest with an 8-0 advantage after scoring six runs on five hits in the second inning, highlighted by senior shortstop Brian Horn's two-run double and Mancuso's blast. UW-Oshkosh totaled 14 hits in the contest, including three each by junior designated hitter Ben Beno and junior third baseman Eric Servais. Mancuso's home runs tallied a personal-best seven runs batted in. Freshman Ben Huffman (2-0) tossed his second complete game of the season by scattering eight hits and striking out three batters in nine innings of work. Huffman limited Edgewood College to just one hit during innings four through eight. Titans Finish Southern Trip With 7-2 Record
UW-Oshkosh jumped out to a 12-0 advantage in the 16-4 victory after scoring six runs in the first inning, four in the second and two in the third. The Titans scored their six runs in the first inning on four hits, including a two-run home run by junior third baseman Eric Servais and a solo home run by junior left fielder Vince Mancuso. Servais also belted a two-run home run in the second inning as UW-Oshkosh scored four times with the aid of four hits. UW-Oshkosh totaled 14 hits in the five-inning contest, including three by Mancuso and two each by Servais, senior right fielder Andy Becker, junior first baseman Eric Roecker and junior center fielder Derek Peppler. Servais and Peppler each knocked in four runs to lead the Titans Senior Derek Koch gained his second pitching win on the trip by hurling all five innings. Koch, who retired the first seven batters he faced, scattered six hits and struck out six batters. In its 8-6 win, UW-Oshkosh rallied from a 1-0 deficit by scoring four runs in the fourth inning, including two on a home run by Peppler. Leading 5-3, UW-Oshkosh added three runs on three hits in the seventh inning, including a two-run single by sophomore first baseman Nick Henschel. Crichton College made things interesting in its half of the seventh inning by scoring three runs on two hits and having the tying run at the plate with nobody out. UW-Oshkosh registered nine hits in the second game, with three belonging to Henschel and two each to Servais and Peppler. Junior Adam Green notched his second pitching win on the trip by tossing all seven innings. Green allowed 10 hits while striking out five batters. Titans Tumble To NCAA Division II Buccaneers
First baseman Zac Scott was the star of the game for Christian Brothers University (9-12) as he belted two-run home runs in the first, fifth and sixth innings. If that wasn't enough, the 2000 Gulf South Conference West Division Player of the Year ended the game with UW-Oshkosh (5-2) due to the NCAA's 10-run rule with a run-scoring single in the seventh inning. In all, Scott was four-for-five at the plate with seven runs batted in and three runs scored. Christian Brothers University, which competes in a conference that features the first, seventh, 17th, 24th and 25th-ranked teams in the NCAA Division II, banged out 15 hits off a pair of UW-Oshkosh pitchers. Besides Scott's four hits, the Buccaneers also received three hits from shortstop Joey Perry and catcher Peter Lucchesi. UW-Oshkosh was held to six hits in the game, with two belonging to freshman catcher Lucas Lechnir, who has hit safely in all seven games for the Titans this season. UW-Oshkosh hit two home runs in the contest, solo shots by junior second baseman Eric Roecker in the sixth inning and senior shortstop Brian Horn in the seventh. Christian Brothers University scored two runs in the first inning, one in the fourth and three in the fifth before busting the game open with five scores in the sixth. The Titans scored on their home runs in the fifth and sixth innings, leaving two runners on base in the second, fourth and fifth frames. Jesse Boyd (2-2) took the pitching win for Christian Brothers University, while freshman Jordan Timm (0-1) suffered the loss. Timm went the first 5.1 innings, allowing 11 hits and seven earned runs while striking out five batters. Junior Brian Herzog pitched the final two innings and allowed four earned runs. Titans Split With NCAA Division II Bears
The University of Central Arkansas took a 2-0 lead after the first inning of game one before the Titans evened the count on run-scoring doubles by freshman catcher Lucas Lechnir and senior right fielder Andy Becker in the second and third innings, respectively. The Bears took the advantage for good in the fourth inning on a sacrifice bunt by right fielder Matt Bloxom and an infield single by center fielder Jeremy Gardner. Following a score by the Bears in the sixth inning, UW-Oshkosh registered two runs on four hits in the seventh, including run-scoring singles by senior shortstop Brian Horn and junior left fielder Vince Mancuso. Down 5-4, UW-Oshkosh loaded the bases before University of Central Arkansas (10-9) pitcher Derrick Wilson got freshman first baseman Joe Waksmonski to strike out and junior designated hitter Ben Stanley to ground out to end the seven-inning contest. UW-Oshkosh compiled 11 hits in the game, including two each by Horn, Mancuso and Becker. Second baseman Jason Cooper led the Bears with two safeties. Junior pitcher Brian Herzog started on the mound for the Titans, but was relieved in the second inning by freshman Matt Lewin. Lewin took the loss in his collegiate debut, hurling five innings and striking out two batters. UW-Oshkosh raised its all-time record against the University of Central Arkansas to 6-2 by pouncing on the Bears early in game two. After taking a 1-0 lead in the first inning, UW-Oshkosh made the score 4-0 in the second on senior shortstop Brian Horn's three-run home run. The round tripper was the Titans' first of the second. Freshman catcher Lucas Lechnir lifted the Titans' lead to 6-2 in the third inning by lacing a two-run single. UW-Oshkosh concluded the game's scoring with one run in the fourth inning, an infield ground out by junior left fielder Vince Mancuso. UW-Oshkosh (5-1) totaled nine hits in the second game, with Horn, Lechnir and junior third baseman Eric Servais having two each. Freshman Ben Huffman gained the pitching win in his UW-Oshkosh debut, allowing five hits and striking out one batter during his seven inning, complete game victory. Huffman allowed just four singles and one triple to the 27 batters he faced. Solid Pitching Lifts Titans' Ledger To 4-0
Down 1-0 to Illinois Wesleyan University (2-3-1), UW-Oshkosh scored three runs in the bottom of the fifth inning, including a two-run double by junior third baseman Eric Servais and a run-scoring single by junior left fielder Vince Mancuso. The Titans closed their scoring on a run-scoring single by Mancuso in the eighth inning and a run-scoring double by junior designated hitter Ben Stanley and a run-scoring single by senior shortstop Brian Horn in the ninth. UW-Oshkosh registered 11 hits in the contest, including three by Horn and two each by Mancuso and senior right fielder Andy Becker. While UW-Oshkosh's bats were alive, Illinois Wesleyan University's were quiet as Koch yielded just two hits and struck out six batters during his nine-inning, complete game victory. The only hits allowed by Koch, both singles, came in the fifth inning. UW-Oshkosh plated a season-high 18 runs in its seven-inning win over Rhodes College (4-13). The Titans led 7-0 after two innings and padded their cushion with three runs in the fifth inning and eight more in the sixth. UW-Oshkosh's 15-hit attack featured six players recording two hits, including freshman second baseman Mike Hall, junior designated hitter Ben Stanley and junior center fielder Ben Beno who entered the contest as reserves. Also gaining two hits were senior shortstop Brian Horn, junior left fielder Vince Mancuso and senior right fielder Andy Becker. Becker had four runs batted in during the affair, with two-run triples in the fifth and sixth frames. Karnitz pitched all seven innings in his collegiate debut, allowing just eight hits. He opened the game by retiring 13 of the first 15 batters he faced. Shortstop Bryan Jackson had three of seven hits for the Lynx. Titans Open Season With A Pair Of Wins
In UW-Oshkosh's win over Illinois Wesleyan University, the Titans scored four runs in the first inning with the aid of four singles, including a two-run safety by junior right fielder Vince Mancuso. Trailing 7-1, Illinois Wesleyan University (1-2-1) made things exciting in the bottom of the ninth inning by scoring five runs with the benefit of two UW-Oshkosh (1-0) errors and a two-run triple by shortstop Tony Merritt. UW-Oshkosh recorded 10 hits against Illinois Wesleyan University, including three each by junior designated hitter Eric Roecker and senior center fielder Brian Meyers. Mancuso and Meyers also knocked in a pair of runs. Junior pitcher Adam Green made his UW-Oshkosh debut by hurling all nine innings, scattering seven hits and striking out five batters. Green, a National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) Division II All-America second team selection a year ago while attending Madison Area Technical College, allowed just two runners to reach second base between the second and eighth innings. Merritt had two of the seven hits recorded by Illinois Wesleyan University. Against host Rhodes College (4-12), UW-Oshkosh trailed 6-0 before tying the game with six tallies in the top of the sixth inning. The Titans evened the count on three walks, two Rhodes College errors and three singles, including a two-run hit by freshman catcher Lucas Lechnir. UW-Oshkosh scored two unearned runs in the eighth inning and got a sacrifice fly by junior second baseman Tom Gessner for another run in the ninth. UW-Oshkosh totaled 12 hits against the Lynx, with junior center fielder Brian Meyers and sophomore first baseman Nick Henschel getting three each. Junior Brian Herzog registered the pitching win for the Titans, hurling the final four scoreless innings in relief of freshman starter Jordan Timm. Herzog allowed just three hits and struck out five batters during his time on the mound. Rhodes College totaled 12 hits against the Titans, with first baseman Graeme Adams, second baseman J.P. Karoly, third baseman Barett Vawter and center fielder Steve Wright getting two each. |
UW-Oshkosh
placed three players, all pitchers, on the 2001 NCAA
Division III All-Midwest Region Baseball Team. 
UW-Oshkosh is
the lone unbeaten team in the WIAC Baseball Tournament
following a pair of victories on Friday (May 11) in
Whitewater. The second-seed Titans defeated third-seed
UW-La Crosse, 7-5, and fourth-seed UW-Stevens Point, 4-2,
to move within one victory of receiving the league's
automatic bid to the NCAA Division III Tournament. 
The UW-Oshkosh
baseball team needed perfection on Saturday (May 5) in
order to keep pace with UW-Whitewater in the race to host
the WIAC Tournament next weekend. 
A variety of
streaks came to an end Tuesday (April 24) at Fox Cities
Stadium in Grand Chute as the UW-Oshkosh baseball team
split a non-conference doubleheader with Lawrence
University. UW-Oshkosh dropped a 10-8 decision to the
Vikings in the opener before regaining its winning habit
in the nightcap, 14-1.
The UW-Oshkosh
baseball team has taken the early lead in the WIAC race
following Friday's (April 20) doubleheader sweep of
UW-Superior at Tiedemann Field. The Titans (20-3/4-0)
defeated the Yellowjackets (4-4/0-2) in scores of 8-2 and
9-4 to take a one-game lead over UW-La Crosse and
UW-Whitewater in the league standings.
The UW-Oshkosh
baseball team concluded its southern trip to Arkansas and
Tennessee by sweeping a doubleheader with Crichton
College on Thursday (March 22) in Memphis, Tenn.
UW-Oshkosh defeated Crichton College in scores of 16-4
and 8-6 to end its southern trek with a 7-2 record. 
The first
meeting between the UW-Oshkosh baseball team and NCAA
Division II Christian Brothers University will be
something the Titans would like to forget as they fell
12-2 to the host Buccaneers on Tuesday (March 20) in
Memphis, Tenn. The 10-run setback was the largest since
UW-Oshkosh suffered a 15-5 loss to UW-Whitewater on April
27, 1991, a span of 395 games.