The University of Wisconsin-Whitewater baseball team opened Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference play Saturday with a doubleheader sweep over UW-Oshkosh at Prucha Field at James B. Miller Stadium.
The Warhawks (9-5 overall, 2-0 WIAC) scored a late run in the first game on their way to a 5-4 victory, and ended the nightcap after eight innings by run rule in a 12-1 win.
In the opener, senior second baseman Nick Schrader plated the go-ahead run on a two-out base hit in the bottom of the eighth inning.
Sophomore Connor Spear improved to 2-0 on the season, tossing two shutout innings in relief of senior Michael Kaska, who struck out five over seven frames.
Sophomore shortstop Nick Santoro, who finished 3-for-3 with two walks, led off the bottom of the first with a homer to give UW-Whitewater a 1-0 advantage. Senior catcher Mike Aiello doubled the lead later in the inning with a two-out base hit through the right side.
After the Titans (11-8, 4-2) halved their deficit in the top of the fifth, the Warhawks tallied two times in the bottom half on a double by Santoro and a sacrifice fly to center by Schrader.
After UW-Whitewater stranded the bases loaded in the bottom of the sixth, UW-Oshkosh tied the contest at 4-4 in the top of the seventh on a base hit and a two-run home run.
Junior first baseman Ben Wilkins drew a walk to lead off the bottom of the eighth, and junior pinch runner Logan Hanselmann stole second and scored on Schrader's hit after Santoro was intentionally walked.
In Game 2, the Warhawks hammered out 15 hits and plated six runs in the eighth, including a walk-off, three-run homer by senior second baseman Connor Schneider.
Sophomore centerfielder Alex Doud finished 2-for-4 with three runs batted in. Senior third baseman Cal Aldridge totaled two hits, including a double and a home run, scored three runs and drove in two. Santoro, Schrader and freshman left fielder Matt Korman collected two hits apiece.
Sophomore Matt O'Sullivan tossed seven shutout innings to push his record to 2-2 on the year. He allowed only three hits and two walks while striking out nine in the outing. Freshman Hayden Fox pitched the final inning in relief.
The two teams wrap up the four-game series Sunday with a doubleheader at 12 p.m. at Miller Stadium.