OSHKOSH - Monroe graduates Amie Heinzelman and Sydnee Wyss joined forces to play major roles in leading UW-Oshkosh's softball team to a 32-11 record (10-3 in the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Conference) and the school's first WIAC tournament championship since 1985.
Heinzelman, in her sophomore softball season, hit .343 with six home runs and had 26 RBI. She led the team with 46 runs scored and 13 doubles to go along with a .458 on base percentage. Heinzelman was named to the Louisville Slugger National Fastpitch Coaches Association Great Lakes third-team All-Region team.
"It's always a great feeling to get recognized," Heinzelman said. "It shows me I can work harder to get first team All-Region. It's a stepping stone and I hope to make improvements next year."
Wyss, in her freshman season, hit .323 with two home runs and 21 RBI. She had a .390 on base percentage and nine stolen bases.
"I changed everything about my swing and stance," Wyss said. "I didn't choke up on the bat any more. I hit with more power this year than I have my entire life."
Wyss said she moved her hands in closer to her head and is using her legs more in the swing.
"That is the base of the power," Wyss said. "When you are changing your swing, you are going to get worse before you get better."
Heinzelman was always in Wyss' corner.
"She (Heinzelman) was like a comfort blanket," Wyss said. "Amie was always telling me it would get better. It gave me someone I knew going into the season. It was nice having someone on the team that has known me for a long time."
Heinzelman remembers her first season with the Titans and the adjustments she made to her swing.
The two share softball hitting tips.
"There are a lot of frustrating times," Heinzelman said. "We can always count on each other."
Heinzelman said changing a player's swing is a year-long process.
"I think it's great to continue playing softball with Sydnee," Heinzelman said. "We are just enjoying it. We know softball will only last two more years for me and three for Sydnee."
The Titans started the season 6-6 and caught fire, winning 18 of their last 20 regular-season games.
Wyss said the team entered the season without a lot of college softball experience, and a Florida trip with games against several Division 2 schools helped in setting team goals.
"You can't teach team chemistry," Wyss said. "You just have it."
Heinzelman said the team played competitive during the Florida trip.
"I don't like to use being young as an excuse," Heinzelman said.
REGIONAL HEARTBREAK
The Titans, ranked 14th in NCAA Division III by the National Fastpitch Coaches Association, won a three-game series to capture the WIAC tournament title. The Titans lost a NCAA Division III Eau Claire regional championship, 6-0, to the Blugolds. It's the second straight year the UW-Eau Claire defeated the Titans in the regional title game.
"We know we were just one step away from going to nationals," Heinzelman said. "We are capable of being a national qualifying team. I think one of our team goals and my individual goal is to make it to the national tournament."
Wyss also has big expectations for next season.
"It's great motivation considering they went on to win the national championship," Wyss said. "It makes all of us want to work harder in the offseason."
Heinzelman, in her sophomore softball season, hit .343 with six home runs and had 26 RBI. She led the team with 46 runs scored and 13 doubles to go along with a .458 on base percentage. Heinzelman was named to the Louisville Slugger National Fastpitch Coaches Association Great Lakes third-team All-Region team.
"It's always a great feeling to get recognized," Heinzelman said. "It shows me I can work harder to get first team All-Region. It's a stepping stone and I hope to make improvements next year."
Wyss, in her freshman season, hit .323 with two home runs and 21 RBI. She had a .390 on base percentage and nine stolen bases.
"I changed everything about my swing and stance," Wyss said. "I didn't choke up on the bat any more. I hit with more power this year than I have my entire life."
Wyss said she moved her hands in closer to her head and is using her legs more in the swing.
"That is the base of the power," Wyss said. "When you are changing your swing, you are going to get worse before you get better."
Heinzelman was always in Wyss' corner.
"She (Heinzelman) was like a comfort blanket," Wyss said. "Amie was always telling me it would get better. It gave me someone I knew going into the season. It was nice having someone on the team that has known me for a long time."
Heinzelman remembers her first season with the Titans and the adjustments she made to her swing.
The two share softball hitting tips.
"There are a lot of frustrating times," Heinzelman said. "We can always count on each other."
Heinzelman said changing a player's swing is a year-long process.
"I think it's great to continue playing softball with Sydnee," Heinzelman said. "We are just enjoying it. We know softball will only last two more years for me and three for Sydnee."
The Titans started the season 6-6 and caught fire, winning 18 of their last 20 regular-season games.
Wyss said the team entered the season without a lot of college softball experience, and a Florida trip with games against several Division 2 schools helped in setting team goals.
"You can't teach team chemistry," Wyss said. "You just have it."
Heinzelman said the team played competitive during the Florida trip.
"I don't like to use being young as an excuse," Heinzelman said.
REGIONAL HEARTBREAK
The Titans, ranked 14th in NCAA Division III by the National Fastpitch Coaches Association, won a three-game series to capture the WIAC tournament title. The Titans lost a NCAA Division III Eau Claire regional championship, 6-0, to the Blugolds. It's the second straight year the UW-Eau Claire defeated the Titans in the regional title game.
"We know we were just one step away from going to nationals," Heinzelman said. "We are capable of being a national qualifying team. I think one of our team goals and my individual goal is to make it to the national tournament."
Wyss also has big expectations for next season.
"It's great motivation considering they went on to win the national championship," Wyss said. "It makes all of us want to work harder in the offseason."
