The University of Wisconsin-Whitewater baseball split games against UW-Oshkosh on Monday during an eclipse. The second win of the day was historic, as Coach Vodenlich picked up his 700th win at the helm of the Warhawk program.
In his 21st season as the Warhawks head coach, John Vodenlich recorded his 700th win at the helm of the program. A total record of 700-221-1 at UW-Whitewater, Vodenlich is the winningest coach in Warhawk history and ranks 2nd in the WIAC for wins all time. Vodenlich, a 2024 ABCA Hall of Fame Inductee, also holds a spot on the national leader board. Out of active NCAA DIII coaches (min. 5 seasons), Vodelinch is 23rd in total wins (700 at UWW, 29 at Edgewood), and third in win percentage (0.736). All time, he ranks 43rd in total wins and 8th in winning percentage.
In the first game, UW-Oshkosh got out to a 6-0 lead after 6 innings. The Warhawks were able to score their first run in the bottom of the 9th. Eli Frank (Bayport, Wis./Bay Port) added a two run homer to close down the Titan led, but UW-Oshkosh eventually came away with the win in the first game, 6-3.
In the second game, the Warhawks didn't waste any time jumping out to their own big lead though, scoring 6 runs in the first inning. Aaron Holland (Wheaton, Ill./Wheaton North) homered after only three pitches into the game. Darryl Jackson (Milwaukee, Wis./Rufus King) added a RBI double, allowing Andy Thies (Tallahassee, Fla./Lawton Chiles) for a two RBI triple for the next at bat.
UW-Oshkosh scored their first run of the game with a solo home run in the top of the 6th, but the Warhawks responded right back with 4 more runs. Jackson hit a two RBI triple and then scored after the Titans tried to catch Thies stealing second.
The Warhawks added on two more runs in the bottom of the 7th putting the game away for good in only 7 innings. Danny Hopper (Palatine, Ill./Palatine) hit the walk-off RBI double for the Warhawks 12-2 win and Coach Vodenlich's 700th win.
Michael Hilker Jr. (Yorkville, Ill./York), would pick up the win on the mound, pitching 6.1 innings with 7 strike outs.
The Warhawks will be back in action on Wednesday, as they travel to UW-Platteville to take on the Pioneers. The first game of the double header is set to start at 1 PM.