UW-Oshkosh 2, Benedictine University (Ill.) 0

La Crosse, Wis. – The University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh earned a 2-0 victory over Benedictine University (Ill.) in the opening game Friday at the NCAA Division III Softball La Crosse, Wisconsin Regional at North Campus Field. The Titans improve to 31-11 on the season and will play the winner of the St. Norbert College (Wis.)/UW-La Crosse at 11 a.m. Saturday, May 13. 

Benedictine (Ill.) falls to 33-12, and will play at 1:30 p.m. Saturday in an elimination game against the St. Norbert (Wis.)/UW-La Crosse loser. 

UW-Oshkosh scored the only two runs of the game in the bottom of the first on three hits, benefiting from two Benedictine (Ill.) errors.  Natalie Dudek reached on an error from the second baseman, and advanced to third on a double from Abby Menting.  Kaitlyn Krol singled to center driving in Dudek to make it 1-0. Claire Petrus singled later in the frame to drive in Menting to give the Titans a 2-0 lead.

Sara Brunlieb (13-5) earned the win for UW-Oshkosh, allowing four hits and walking one batter in 7.0 innings.  Petrus and Krol were both 1-for-3 with an RBI..    

Holly Haberkorn (22-5) took the loss for Benedictine (Ill.), giving up two unearned runs on six hits in 6.0 innings. She struck out three batters. Kassee Johnson went 2-for-3 for the Eagles.    

Coach Beyer postgame interview
UW-Oshkosh players postgame interview

Coach Heidkamp postgame interview
Benedictine players postgame interview