STEVENS POINT, Wis.- In the first game of the 2023 WIAC baseball tournament (Presented by Culver's), fourth-seeded UW-Oshkosh (25-13) defeated top-seeded UW-Stevens Point (29-10). The Titans entered the weekend with a 3-7 record against the Pointers in their last 10 games including four losses at Stevens Point last weekend and two losses in last year's WIAC tournament. The second loss came in the WIAC title game by a score of 10-0 in eight innings.
UWO's Connor Brinkman started against UWSP's Nick Paulsen.
The Titans got on the board early when Zach Taylor sent Ethan Schreier home in the top of the third with a single to center field.
Kamden Olivier gave UWSP a 2-1 lead when he homered to right center in the bottom of the fourth, also scoring Brenden Canterbury.
Oshkosh's three-run fifth inning was capped off by Nicholas Shiu with a two-run home run to left field. Matt Scherrman also scored on the play.
Shiu homered again, his eighth of the season, in the top of the eighth.
The Titans entered the bottom of the eighth with a 5-2 lead and left with a 5-3 lead. Oliver singled in the inning to give Stevens Point their last run of the game.
Shiu finished the game going three-for-four three RBI and two runs scored. His two home runs were the second multi-home run game of his career.
Brinkman moved to 8-2 on the season in the 7.0 inning win. He struck out six while allowed three runs on five hits and a walk. Logan King earned his fourth save of the season in 1.1 innings of work with two strikeouts. Tyler Beyer (1-2) was assigned the loss. He pitched 1.0 inning and allowed three runs on three hits with three strikeouts.
Looking Forward
The Titans will face the winner of the No. 3 UW-Whitewater-No. 2 UW-La Crosse game tomorrow (May 12) at 1 p.m. at Zimmermann Field in Stevens Point.