Oshkosh splits pair of nailbiters vs. Stout

The UW-Oshkosh men's baseball team took the first game of the doubleheader against UW-Stout, held last Sunday at Tiedemann Field winning 12-11 thanks to the powerful bat of Mickey Fadness (catcher) who had the game-winning home run. Fadness went 3-4 with two RBIs and game high three runs scored in the first game.

Fadness has played solid the last couple of games, and head coach Tom Lechnir has noticed.

"He had a really good weekend," Lechnir said. "He's a senior playing his last few games at home. I'm sure that was great motivation for him."

The Titans also received some power from Lucas Wirth, who hammered a 3-run homer, as Oshkosh was able to take a 10-2 lead in the fourth inning.

Freshmen Sean Grabig hit a rough patch after the Titans huge lead giving up five earned runs. Senior Kyle Kannenberg came in relief after playing most of the game at second, only giving up one run through the final 4.2 innings and got his third consecutive win for the team. While hitting Kannenberg went 2-5 with two RBIs.

Like Fadness, Kannenberg also played a big part on the season and will be missed by his coach next season.

"We've used him this year as our relief pitcher and a position player due to injuries," Lechnir said. "He did the best he could all year, and like Mickey (Fadness) he wanted to end on a positive note."

With pitcher Kannenberg leaving, sophomore Aaron Dressnandt focuses on the things he needs to do in the summer for next season.

"I'm going to work on my consistency and stamina mainly," Dressnandt said. "I want to be the go to guy and be able to get further in innings."

In the second game of the doubleheader the Titans lost to Stout in extra innings losing 9-6.

Matt Wells got the nod and started for the Titans going four innings and giving up two runs. Kannenberg came in for his two straight game appearances, only to give up seven runs (two earned) in the six innings of pitching.

Wirth and Blake Berger, each going 2-5, led the Titans hitting, Fadness 2-4, Derek Layton 1-4 (two RBIs) and Tyler Kemps 1-4 (two RBIs).

The Titans have four more games left to play this season, and they're all against UW-La Crosse. If the Titans want any chance to make a run in the post season they have to win all four and hope that Platteville looses their next two out of four.

Dressnandt said all pitchers need to do the same thing to be able to win the four games.
"I think we all have to throw back to back strikes, and just work on our successions to be able to win," he said.

Oshkosh will be in action again Friday when they hit the road to take on the Eagles of La Crosse.

The first pitch of the doubleheader will take place at noon.

On Saturday, Oshkosh and La Crosse will take to the field again at noon again for another doubleheader, which will wrap up both teams' regular seasons.

The Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Tournament will be held May 14 and 15 at a place yet to be determined.