April 17, 2009
Game 1 Box Score | Game 2 Box Score
ROCHESTER, Mich. - Sophomore Marisa Everitt went 3-for-3, junior Katie Dreyer drove in the game-winning run, and sophomore Alison Tansel (2-5) got the win in relief, working 3.0 strong innings, striking out three, to lead the Oakland University softball team (15-24, 8-11) to a 2-1 win over Centenary College (28-16, 11-4) in the nightcap on Friday at the OU Softball Field. The Ladies took game one 4-1.
Freshman Brittany Doyle entered the circle for the Golden Grizzlies with a runner on first base and one out in the sixth inning. The right-handed hurler then induced a big 3-6-4 double play on one pitch to get out of the inning and preserve the one-run lead. After allowing a single to start the seventh inning, and an error to allow the tying run to reach second base, Doyle recorded three straight outs to earn her first collegiate save.
Junior Anne Cicchini drove in the game's only other run for Oakland, finishing 1-for-3. Senior Julie Owen went 1-for-1, with two successful sacrifice bunts, while senior Caitlin Lynch went 1-for-3 for the Grizzlies.
Everitt got the start for OU in the circle, earning a no decision, throwing 2.1 innings, scattering three hits and struck out three. Senior Jessica Granger (11-12) started game one, going the distance, allowing six hits, four runs, three earned runs and fanned five.
The Ladies' Hillary Phillips (14-6) tossed a complete-game two hitter in the opener, striking out five for the win. Kalyn Harris went 2-for-4, with two runs batted in to pace Centenary offensively.
In game one, Centenary got on the board in the second inning after a misplay by the OU right fielder which allowed a double, an infield single and successful double steal. The Ladies tacked on another run in the third inning on a Jenny Varteressian RBI single to right field as the Grizzlies trailed 2-0.
The Golden Grizzlies scratched an unearned run in the fourth inning as senior Stephanie Schall crossed the plate on a throwing error by the CC catcher as the lead was cut to one, 2-1.
The Ladies then scored two runs in the fifth inning on a Harris double to left-center field as Oakland now trailed by three runs, 4-1. Phillips took care of the rest, retiring 9 of 10 batters to end the game.
Oakland scored one run, on two hits and had three errors, while Centenary scored four runs, on six hits and had two errors.
Game two went scoreless until the bottom of the third inning with Cicchini singled through the right side with two outs and runners at first and third to give the Grizzlies a 1-0 lead.
The Ladies tied the game in the fourth inning, courtesy of two wild pitches by Tansel to score pinch runner Vicki Honeycutt who was running for Allison Shepperd who began the inning with a single.
OU did not wait long to regain the lead, doing so on a big single by Dreyer with runners at first and third and one out in the bottom of the fifth inning as the Golden Grizzlies took a 2-1 lead into the sixth inning.
The Ladies would threaten in both innings, but Doyle squashed their chances by making solid pitches and lifting Oakland to a big Summit League win.
OU scored two runs, on eight hits and committed four errors, while CC had one run, seven hits and one error.
The rubber game will be at Noon tomorrow. Oakland will honor its five seniors prior to the start of the game. All OU softball games can be followed on Gametracker at www.ougrizzlies.com.
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