RIPON, Wis. - The Ripon baseball team stepped outside conference play Wednesday afternoon, losing the battle of Highway 44 to UW-Oshkosh by a score of 5-2. The teams combined for 17 hits, with six of those coming from Ripon.

UW-Oshkosh (17-13) wasted no time getting on the board, as they plated two runs in the top of the first, with both scoring on a single to right field. The Titans added another in the fourth, when Logan Recker scored on a double play ball. Their final two runs came in the top of the sixth on a single through the right side of the infield to make the score 5-0.

Ripon (10-12) battled back in the bottom of the sixth, scoring two runs on a Michael Polcyn double to the fence in right center. The Red Hawks would record three hits in the final three innings, but couldn't string any together to score.

Two of Ripon's six hits came off the bat of Nick Kita, while he and Dakotah Kirchenwitz scored the team's only runs. Drew Slade (0-2) suffered the loss, allowing three earned runs on five hits and striking out two in 4.1 innings of work.

UW-Oshkosh got three hits from Reckert, while Andy Brahier and Cooper Lang each finished with two hits. Reckert and Lang also had two RBI apiece. Adam Rude (2-2) earned the win, allowing two runs on six hits and striking out five in seven innings. Lucas Gregory picked up his first career save by pitching two innings of hitless ball in relief.

The Red Hawks will be in action again on Thursday when they'll travel to Marian University for a single nine-inning game. That contest will begin at 7 p.m. in Fond du Lac, Wis.
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