The fourth-seeded Titans (15-14) were ousted from the nine-team, double-elimination event after suffering losses of 6-1 to fifth-seed UW-Whitewater (24-11) and 8-3 to ninth-seed UW-Platteville (17-19).

Top-seed UW-Eau Claire and sixth-seed UW-Superior enter Saturday's (May 4) action as the only unbeaten teams, with third-seed and host UW-La Crosse and eighth-seed UW-River Falls joining UW-Oshkosh as early exits on Friday.

UW-Whitewater quickly erased UW-Oshkosh's hope of extending its winning streak to a season-best five games by scoring three times in the first inning and once in the second. The Warhawks' big first inning featured run-scoring doubles by designated hitter Kelly Punzel and third baseman Amanda Thompson and a run-scoring single by second baseman Amy Ferry. UW-Whitewater's lone tally in the second inning came on a solo home run by center fielder Debbie Meltz.

UW-Whitewater increased their lead to 6-0 in the fourth inning by scoring on singles from first baseman Casey Starkey and Ferry. The Titans' lone tally also came in the sixth inning as junior second baseman Katie Dams scored on sophomore left fielder Angie Long's infield single.

UW-Oshkosh had only four hits in the game, with no player having more than one, while UW-Whitewater totaled 11 hits, including two each from Ferry, Meltz, Starkey and left fielder Megan Koeller.

Junior Lizz Fernelius (10-7) started and pitched only two innings on the mound for the Titans, yielding six hits and four runs. She was relieved by freshman Natalie Mlinar who pitched the remainder of the game. Heather Wendt (9-2) recorded the pitching win for UW-Whitewater, allowing just four hits and striking out seven batters during her seven-inning, complete-game effort.

Looking to rebound from its loss to UW-Whitewater, UW-Oshkosh took a 2-0 lead against UW-Platteville by scoring once in both the first and second innings. The Titans scored in the first frame on a single by junior catcher Mary Easton and in the second on a single by sophomore center fielder Jessie Laha.

UW-Platteville, which dropped a pair of games to UW-Oshkosh earlier in the season, tied the contest with two runs in the third inning and blew the affair open in the fourth by scoring five times. Aided by two UW-Oshkosh errors, the Pioneers' five-run, fourth inning featured three hits, including a two-run single by designated hitter Michelle Skaden and a run-scoring single by left fielder Stacey Yager. Both teams scored once the rest of the way as the Titans marked in the fifth inning and the Pioneers in the sixth.

UW-Oshkosh had six hits against UW-Platteville, with Easton and Laha having two each. UW-Platteville, 2-1 in games played on the Friday, banged out 10 hits, including two each from Skaden and catcher Wendi Siedschlag.

Fernelius (19-8) was the starting pitcher for UW-Oshkosh, but lasted only into the fourth inning before being relieved by Mlinar. Fernelius took the loss after allowing eight hits and seven runs in 3.1 innings. Steph Wood (9-8) pitched 4.2 innings as the starter to record the win for the Pioneers. Tiff Flesch closed the game for UW-Platteville by hurling 2.1 hitless innings.

UW-Oshkosh (13-12) banged out 21 hits in its two victories, with sophomore right fielder Julie Barth, junior second baseman Katie Dams and junior first baseman Brenda Feucht totaling four each. Barth, who had a triple against the Milwaukee School of Engineering and a double against Lawrence University, led UW-Oshkosh on the day with three runs batted in.

UW-Oshkosh and Lawrence University (13-13) both scored twice in the first inning before the Titans took a 3-2 advantage in the fourth on a run-scoring single by freshman shortstop Anne Stanislawski. In the fifth inning, the Vikings overcame their deficit by taking a 4-3 lead on a two-run single by second baseman Shannon Arendt. UW-Oshkosh rallied to count its tying and winning marks on a run-scoring double by Stanislawski and a run-scoring bunt single by sophomore designated hitter Jenny Okon in the sixth inning.

Junior Lizz Fernelius (8-6) pitched all seven innings to gain the win for UW-Oshkosh, scattering 10 hits and recording one strikeout. Amy Varda (5-8) took the pitching loss for the Vikings.

UW-Oshkosh took control of its game against the Milwaukee School of Engineering early, plating three runs in the first inning and solo tallies in the fourth and fifth. Barth gave the Titans a 3-0 advantage in the first frame with a two-run double and made the count 5-0 in the fifth with a run-scoring single. UW-Oshkosh also received a run-scoring single from junior catcher Katie Terry in the fourth inning. Barth and Dams each had three hits against the Raiders, while Feucht extended her hitting streak to nine consecutive games by totaling two.

Freshman Natalie Mlinar (5-6) yielded seven hits and struck out three batters in seven innings to record the pitching win for UW-Oshkosh, while Toni Kuntsmann took the loss for the Raiders.

UW-Oshkosh (11-12 & 6-5 in the WIAC) and UW-Stevens Point (15-9 & 5-4 in the WIAC) were scoreless through five innings of the opener as pitchers Lizz Fernelius of the Titans and Karen Guckenberger of the Pointers held opposing hitters at bay.

In the sixth inning, however, both teams scored all of their runs. UW-Oshkosh scored twice in the top half of the sixth inning with the aid of two hits and a pair of UW-Stevens Point errors. The Titans recorded their tallies on a run-scoring single by sophomore left fielder Angie Long and a Pointer miscue.

UW-Stevens Point scored four runs on six hits in the bottom half of the sixth inning as catcher Stacy Karls tied the contest with a two-run home run. The round tripper was Karls' second in 105 career games. Third baseman Brooke Woller and left fielder Kal Lucas followed Karls' home run with singles and right fielder Emily Schlender and center fielder Jill Van Wychen hit back-to-back run-scoring singles as the Pointers recorded five straight hits in the stanza.

UW-Oshkosh threatened in the seventh inning as sophomore center fielder Jessie Laha walked and junior second baseman Katie Dams singled, but Guckenberger got junior first baseman Brenda Feucht to fly out to end the game. Guckenberger (10-4) allowed just three hits in the contest while recording seven strike outs. Fernelius (7-6), a junior, took the pitching loss for the Titans, yielding eight hits while striking out one batter.

UW-Stevens Point took a 2-0 lead in the first inning of the nightcap, scoring both of its runs on a home run by first baseman Amanda Sparks. The round tripper was the first of Sparks' career. UW-Oshkosh clawed its way back in the fourth inning, scoring twice with the help of four hits and one UW-Stevens Point error. The inning was highlighted by run-scoring singles from sophomore right fielder Julie Barth and freshman shortstop Anne Stanislawski.

Like it did in the opener, UW-Stevens Point scored the winning run during its last at bat. Schlender led off the Pointers' seventh inning with a walk and scored the game-winning run two batters later on a double by second baseman Carrie Hermsen.

Guckenberger, one of the top hurlers in the WIAC, entered the game in the fifth inning for the Pointers and recorded the win by holding the Titans scoreless and to just one hit in three innings. Guckenberger relieved Katie Knoedler who pitcher the first-four innings and allowed four hits. Freshman Natalie Mlinar (4-6) took the pitching loss for UW-Oshkosh, allowing six hits in her six-inning, complete game setback.

The Titans (9-9 & 4-2 in the WIAC) began the inaugural event with a 5-4 win over UW-River Falls and a 4-3 loss to UW-La Crosse. UW-Oshkosh edged UW-River Falls by scoring once in the bottom of the seventh inning, while the Eagles clipped the Titans by scoring twice in the bottom of the sixth.

UW-Oshkosh fell behind UW-River Falls (9-6 & 0-1 in the WIAC) 2-1 before tying the contest in the third inning on a run-scoring single by junior second baseman Katie Dams. The Titans extended their advantage to 4-2 in the fifth inning on run-scoring singles by junior catcher Mary Easton and sophomore right fielder Julie Barth.

UW-River Falls flew back into the game and tied the score at 4-4 on a run-scoring single by designated hitter Emily Vogt in the sixth inning and a run-scoring double by second baseman Melissa Turbak in the seventh. UW-Oshkosh won the game during its at bat in the seventh inning as Barth doubled to score junior first baseman Brenda Feucht who led off the frame with a single.

Both UW-Oshkosh and UW-River Falls had 11 hits, as Barth totaled three to lead the Titans and Turbak four to pace the Falcons. In addition to her run-scoring hits in the fifth and seventh innings, Barth also doubled in the first. Junior Lizz Fernelius (5-5) pitched all seven innings to record the win for the Titans after scattering 11 hits and striking out two batters. Leah Vanderploeg (5-3) took the pitching loss for UW-River Falls, hurling the last 2.1 innings in relief of starter Amy Brooke.

UW-Oshkosh also was involved in a tight contest in Saturday's nightcap against UW-La Crosse (15-5 & 2-0 in the WIAC). The Titans yielded a run to the Eagles in the opening inning before scoring twice in the second on a single by sophomore designated hitter Jenny Okon and an error during a double steal.

Tying the score in the fifth inning on a solo home run by first baseman Kay Kueppers, UW-La Crosse counted its winning tallies in the sixth frame on a solo home run by shortstop Jenny Nelson and a run-scoring single by pinch-hitter Beth Gordon. UW-Oshkosh closed the gap to 4-3 in the seventh inning on a run-scoring single by Feucht. The Titans ended the contest with runners on first and second base.

UW-Oshkosh had seven hits, all singles, against UW-La Crosse, with Long leading the Titans with two. Kueppers and designated hitter Andrea Tsilis each had two hits to pace UW-La Crosse's eight-hit attack. Starting and pitching into the sixth inning, freshman Natalie Mlinar (4-4) took the loss for UW-Oshkosh after allowing five hits and three runs. Kedra Clough (5-1) pitched 6.2 innings to gain the win and Sally Wenzel 0.1 to record the save for UW-La Crosse.

The Titans scored their lone run in the first inning to take game one, while the Warhawks tallied their only score in the fifth inning to claim victory in game two.

UW-Oshkosh (8-8 & 3-1 in the WIAC) extended its winning streak to four games with its unearned run in the first inning of game one. UW-Whitewater (12-6 & 2-2 in the WIAC) had an opportunity to tie the contest in the fourth inning, but Megan Koeller was thrown out at home plate attempting to score on a sacrifice fly by Kelly Punzel.

UW-Oshkosh totaled six hits off UW-Whitewater losing pitcher Amanda Ryan (3-1) in the opener, with sophomore center fielder Jessie Laha having three and junior first baseman Brenda Feucht two. Laha, who singled in the first, second and seventh innings, scored the game's lone run in the first inning following an error on a single by Feucht. UW-Oshkosh junior Lizz Fernelius (4-5) hurled her second 1-0 shutout in as many days by allowing just three hits, with no UW-Whitewater player having more than one.

Another pitching battle took place in game two as UW-Whitewater winning pitcher Dana Jakoubek (3-1) and UW-Oshkosh losing pitcher Natalie Mlinar (5-2) yielded just four hits each. The Warhawks scored their winning run with two out in the fifth inning as Allison Yaun singled in Punzel. Sophomore right fielder Julie Barth had three hits for UW-Oshkosh, including a double, while no UW-Whitewater player had more than one hit for the second consecutive game.

UW-Oshkosh, 2-1-1 in its last four meetings with UW-Whitewater, played error-free softball against the Warhawks after totaling seven errors in Wednesday's (April 10) doubleheader sweep of UW-Platteville. UW-Whitewater had one error against UW-Oshkosh, that coming in game one.

UW-Oshkosh (7-7 & 2-0 in the WIAC) began its first doubleheader sweep of UW-Platteville since 1993 with the three-hit pitching of junior Lizz Fernelius. Fernelius (3-5), who yielded singles in the second, third and fourth innings of the Titans' 1-0 win, preserved the victory in the seventh frame by getting UW-Platteville second baseman Angie Krall to ground out with two runners on base to end the game.

UW-Oshkosh made the most of its two hits off UW-Platteville losing pitcher Steph Wood (6-1) by scoring the game's lone run on a single by sophomore designated hitter Jenny Okon. The second inning score began with UW-Platteville errors during three consecutive UW-Oshkosh at bats. Okon's hit was the last of the game for UW-Oshkosh as Wood was untouchable the rest of the way. No UW-Platteville player had more than one hit in the opener.

In the eight-inning nightcap, UW-Oshkosh and UW-Platteville (9-7 & 0-2 in the WIAC) combined for 19 runs, 28 hits, 17 runners left on base and seven errors. UW-Platteville, which scored in every inning, held an 8-4 advantage before UW-Oshkosh tallied four runs in the bottom of the seventh inning to send the contest to extra play. The Titans tied the game on a bases-loaded triple by Long and a sacrifice fly by sophomore right fielder Julie Barth.

UW-Platteville regained the lead at 9-8 in the eighth inning as designated hitter Laura Brown hit a sacrifice fly after third baseman Beth Shaw and catcher Wendi Siedschlag singled. Following a double by junior second baseman Katie Dams and a walk to junior first baseman Brenda Feucht in the bottom half of the eighth inning, Long was again the star for the Titans as she laced a two-out, two-run double to left field to end the wild affair.

Feucht, who belted a solo home run in the first inning, and Long each had three of the Titans' 15 hits. UW-Oshkosh also received two hits from Dams, sophomore center fielder Jessie Laha and freshman shortstop Anne Stanislawski. UW-Platteville's 13-hit count included three by Siedschlag.

Freshman Natalie Mlinar (4-2) pitched the first-six innings for UW-Oshkosh before being relieved by Fernelius. Fernelius pitched the seventh and eighth innings to gain the win despite allowing three runs and four hits. Tiff Flesch (0-1) took the pitching loss for UW-Platteville after entering the game in the fifth inning.

UW-Oshkosh (5-7) fell behind 3-0 in the opener before scoring three times on four hits in the fourth inning to tie the contest. The University of Chicago (5-11) tallied its winning run in the sixth inning on a run-scoring triple by third baseman Annie Yaniga.

UW-Oshkosh had eight hits in the opener, with junior first baseman Brenda Feucht and freshman shortstop Anne Stanislawski registering two each. Yaniga and second baseman Julie Wiorkowski both had two safeties to pace the Maroons' 11-hit attack.

Junior Lizz Fernelius (1-5) took the pitching loss for UW-Oshkosh in the opener, yielding 11 hits and striking out four batters in seven innings. The Maroons' Kelly Ostler (3-5) also pitched a seven-inning complete game, posting the win after allowing eight hits and striking out seven batters.

Retiring the first-12 batters she faced in the nightcap, Mlinar (4-2) pitched all seven innings to gain her second shutout of the season. Mlinar, who struck out two batters and yielded just three singles, faced only 25 batters in the game, four over the minimum. Despite allowing just four hits, Carla Blauvelt (0-1) took the pitching loss for the University of Chicago.

UW-Oshkosh took a 1-0 lead in the first inning on a run-scoring double by Feucht. The Titans extended their lead to 2-0 in the fifth inning when sophomore center fielder Jessie Laha scored on a wild pitch. Laha also scored UW-Oshkosh's run in the opening inning. Laha had two of the Titans' four hits in the nightcap, while shortstop Sarah Garber had two of the Maroons' three.

After four straight setbacks, UW-Oshkosh junior pitcher Lizz Fernelius (1-4) tossed a seven-hit shutout to gain the win over Keene State College. Fernelius allowed just seven base runners while striking out four batters. The shutout was the second straight for the Titans, who also received a five-hit shutout from freshman Natalie Mlinar on Thursday (March 21) against Suffolk University (Mass.). Meghan McLoughlin took the pitching loss for the Owls despite giving up only one run in four innings.

UW-Oshkosh took a 1-0 lead over Keene State College in the second inning on consecutive doubles by sophomore right fielder Julie Barth and freshman shortstop Anne Stanislawski. The Titans scored their remaining run in the fifth inning as sophomore designated hitter Jenny Okon crossed home plate via a Keene State College error. UW-Oshkosh had six hits in the game, with no player having more than one.

NCAA Division II Slippery Rock University broke open its 1-0 advantage in the fifth inning by scoring four runs on six hits, including a two-run single by first baseman Caitlin Chandler. Following a run-scoring infield ground out by UW-Oshkosh freshman designated hitter Erin DeLeon, the Rockies blew the game open in the seventh inning by scoring five runs on five hits and one UW-Oshkosh error. Highlighting the seventh inning for Slippery Rock University was a three-run home run by right fielder Bobbi Kyler.

Mlinar (3-2) took the pitching loss for UW-Oshkosh, allowing 14 hits and seven earned runs in seven innings. Nikki Cothran allowed seven hits in gaining the pitching victory for Slippery Rock University. At the plate, Barth had two hits to lead UW-Oshkosh, while Chandler had three to pace Slippery Rock University, a first-time opponent of UW-Oshkosh.

The Titans fell behind early against North Central College (10-3-1) as the Cardinals scored two runs on two hits and one UW-Oshkosh error in the first inning and two runs on four hits in the fifth. UW-Oshkosh (3-5), which went hitless until the fourth inning, tallied its lone run in the fifth inning on sophomore designated hitter Julie Barth's run-scoring single.

Shannon Peterson gained the pitching win for North Central College, scattering seven hits and striking out five batters. Peterson left three UW-Oshkosh runners on base in the fifth inning and two in the seventh. Junior Lizz Fernelius (0-4) took the pitching loss for the Titans, allowing 10 hits while striking out two batters.

Right fielder Lynelle Benson had three hits and second baseman Jackie Kay two to lead North Central College at the plate, while junior catcher Mary Easton and freshman shortstop Anne Stanislawski both had two to pace UW-Oshkosh. North Central College finished fifth at the NCAA Division III World Series a year ago.

Mlinar (3-1) dominated Suffolk University as she recorded her first collegiate shutout. Mlinar allowed only five hits and struck out two batters while facing 25 batters, just four over the minimum. Denise Trubia allowed four unearned runs in 4.2 innings on the mound to take the pitching loss for the Rams.

UW-Oshkosh scored four of its five runs in the fifth inning as the Titans recorded two hits and benefited from a Suffolk University error in the frame. The big hit in the inning for UW-Oshkosh was a run-scoring double by junior second baseman Katie Dams. UW-Oshkosh got its remaining score in the seventh inning, a run-scoring single by junior third baseman Ann Manteufel.

Barth led UW-Oshkosh with three hits, while left fielder Erin Pagel paced Suffolk University with two. It was the first meeting between the Titans and the Rams.

State University of New York-Oneonta scored 11 runs in the last two innings of the nightcap for an 11-7 win over UW-Oshkosh after the Titans counted three runs in the sixth inning for a 3-1 victory over Wesleyan University (Conn.) in the opener. Both competitors on Tuesday were first-time opponents of UW-Oshkosh.

UW-Oshkosh and Wesleyan University (1-6) were scoreless until the sixth inning when both teams entered the scoring column. Wesleyan University broke the scoreless deadlock when an infield error by UW-Oshkosh allowed the Cardinals to plate their first run. The Titans came back in the bottom of the inning, however, by scoring three runs with the aid of four hits. The big hits for UW-Oshkosh in the inning were a run-scoring single by sophomore right fielder Angie Long and a two-run single by junior catcher Mary Easton.

Exceptional pitching dominated play as freshman Natalie Mlinar (2-0) of UW-Oshkosh allowed just three hits and faced only 24 batters, three over the minimum. Mlinar opened the game by retiring the first 12 batters she faced. Lindsay Wasserman of Wesleyan University also was impressive on the mound, allowing just six hits and facing only 23 batters, five over the minimum.

UW-Oshkosh (2-4) took a 5-0 lead against State University of New York-Oneonta after scoring three times in the first inning and twice in the third. UW-Oshkosh's advantage held up until the sixth inning when the Red Dragons scored four runs on five hits and one UW-Oshkosh error. The Titans increased their lead to 7-4 in the bottom of the sixth frame with the help of a run-scoring single by junior first baseman Brenda Feucht and a wild pitch.

Trailing by three runs in the seventh inning, State University of New York-Oneonta took control of the contest by scoring seven runs after two were out. State University of New York-Oneonta had seven hits in the inning, but none was bigger than the grand slam by first baseman Tara Hinkle that gave the Red Dragons an 8-7 advantage. UW-Oshkosh went down quietly in the bottom half of the inning as the Titans were retired at the plate in order.

UW-Oshkosh had eight hits in the nightcap, with sophomore designated hitter Julie Barth leading the Titans with two. State University of New York-Oneonta had 16 hits in the contest, with shortstop Rena Finsmith owning three and five others two, including Hinkle who also had five runs batted in.

After her sparkling performance earlier in the day, Mlinar (2-1) took the pitching loss for UW-Oshkosh against State University of New York-Oneonta. Mlinar relieved junior starter Lizz Fernelius in the sixth inning and allowed seven runs and eight hits in just 1.2 innings. Sandra Moxley pitched six innings to record the win for the Red Dragons.

UW-Oshkosh has not been able to control a surplus of errors in its first four games of the 2002 season, which has put the Titans out of games early.

Against Grand View College (1-3), UW-Oshkosh gave up five runs in the second inning as two errors proved costly. The Titans (1-3) rallied for solo runs in the fourth, sixth and seventh innings, but could not complete the comeback. An error by UW-Oshkosh also hurt in the seventh inning as the Vikings scored three times to extend a 6-2 advantage.

UW-Oshkosh had seven hits off Grand View College pitcher Crystal Felton, with junior second baseman Katie Dams having two and sophomore left fielder Angie Long a solo home run. Grand View College recorded 12 hits off UW-Oshkosh junior pitcher Lizz Fernelius (0-2), including four by center fielder Abby Studer.

UW-Oshkosh dropped its contest to Cazenovia College (3-2) after failing to hold a 5-2 advantage after five innings. The Lady Wildcats rallied for the win by scoring three runs in the sixth and once in both the seventh and eighth innings. Cazenovia College tied the game in the seventh inning on a UW-Oshkosh error and won the contest in the eighth on a one-out, run-scoring single by Emily Nevil. Nevil also was the winning pitcher for the Wildcats, scattering eight hits and striking out four batters.

Dams led UW-Oshkosh with two hits in the nightcap while six others had one each. Freshman Natalie Mlinar pitched the first six innings for UW-Oshkosh before being relieved by Fernelius in the seventh. Fernelius (0-3) took the loss for the Titans, yielding three hits and a pair of unearned runs in 1.1 innings.

In the season opener for both teams, Plymouth State College (1-0) had three hits and took advantage of four UW-Oshkosh errors to take a 5-0 lead after two innings. UW-Oshkosh made the final tally 5-2 on run-scoring doubles by junior first baseman Brenda Feucht in the third inning and junior catcher Mary Easton in the sixth. The Titans threatened in the seventh inning, but left runners on first and second base when the game ended.

Each team was held to six hits in the contest, with Kim Jeffs of Plymouth State College also striking out nine batters and junior Lizz Fernelius (0-1) of UW-Oshkosh three. First baseman Kristin Balles of Plymouth State College had two hits in the game to become the only player with multiple safeties.

UW-Oshkosh fell behind 2-0 to Dickinson College in the nightcap, but rallied back with one run on one hit in the first inning, two runs on two hits in the second, three runs on three hits in the third and six runs on eight hits in the fourth. The Titans held a 12-2 lead before Dickinson College (2-1) plated four runs on five hits and one UW-Oshkosh error in the fifth inning.

UW-Oshkosh had 17 hits against Dickinson College, with Feucht getting four, junior second baseman Katie Dams three and Easton, junior designated hitter Kari Wanish and senior third baseman Nikol Matzke two each. Second baseman Jennifer Bullick had four and left fielder Giovanna McClenachan three of Dickinson College's 13 hits.

Freshman Natalie Mlinar (1-0) gained the pitching win for UW-Oshkosh in her collegiate debut, going 4.1 innings before being relieved by Fernelius. Fernelius hurled the final 2.2 nnings for the Titans, yielding just one hit. Keri Marino took the pitching loss for Dickinson College, tossing all seven innings.