OSHKOSH, Wis.- With a 4-1 win over the College of Saint Benedict (Minn.) in the first round of the NCAA Division III Softball Tournament at the UW-Oshkosh Softball Park on Thursday (May 16), UW-Oshkosh softball reached 40 wins for the first time in program history.

The Titans (40-4) now sit third in WIAC history with wins in a single season, just three games behind the conference leader, UW-Whitewater in 1998. Their previous record mark was 36 games in the 2023 season.

After concluding the regular season with 12-2 record for their fifth WIAC regular season crown and a second place finish in the league tournament, the Titans qualified for the NCAA Tournament as an at-large bid and were selected to host a regional. They faced the Bennies (24-18) in the first round on Thursday.

Sydney Nemetz (Jr. • Marinette) started in the circle for Oshkosh, going all seven innings. She struck out five batters while allowing a run on five hits.

Oshkosh recorded their nation-leading 25th double play and Hannah Ritter (Sr. • Marengo, Ill.) got an unassisted out to keep Saint Benedict off the board in the top of the first inning. Sydney Rau (Sr. • Downers Grove, Ill.) walked to lead off the bottom of the inning before play stopped for 35 minutes due to heavy rain. The delay didn't put a damper on the Titans however, as they scored two runs on a bases loaded Abby Garceau (Jr. • Mishicot) single up the middle.

Ritter pushed Oshkosh's edge to 3-0 in the second inning with a single through the left side, plating Morgan Miller (So. • Schaumburg, Ill.) who walked.

The Bennies put runners on base with a double and single in the third inning. They scored their only run of the day when the runner on first base was caught in a pickle and the runner on third ran home.

In the bottom of the third inning, Sophie Wery (Jr. • Seymour) doubled down the left field line to lead off and advanced to third as Morgan Rau (Sr. • Downers Grove, Ill.) flew out to center field. Garceau notched her third RBI of the day with a double of her own to right center.

The Titans will face Illinois Wesleyan University (31-10) on Friday (May 17) at 11 a.m. in the winner's bracket of the Oshkosh Regional. The Titans from Illinois defeated Wartburg College (Iowa) 4-1 in the second game of the day.