April 27, 2009

Game 1 Box Score | Game 2 Box Score | Photo Gallery

ROCHESTER, Mich. - Senior Jessica Granger (16-13) tied a single-season school record with her seventh complete-game shutout, tossing a four-hitter, and earned her second win of the day with 2.0 scoreless innings in relief of game two, while junior Anne Cicchini went 4-for-6, with two runs batted in and two runs scored, to lead Oakland University (21-27) to a sweep over the University of Detroit Mercy (7-35), 4-0 and 7-4, on Monday at the OU Softball Field.

"We have been playing better softball, with maybe the exception of yesterday against a tough Ohio State team," said OU coach Glenn MacDonald. "Jess (Granger) tossed another quality game in the opener, and we fought back from a two-run deficit late which is nice to see."

Senior Julie Owen and junior Angela Righetti each went 2-for-3 in game one for the Golden Grizzlies. Freshman Kylie Schalz drove in two runs, going 1-for-3. Righetti was a solid 2-for-3 in the nightcap, joining senior Caitlin Lynch and sophomore Alyssa Deacon, all three players driving in one run.

Granger set the all-time school record with her 14th career shutout this afternoon. Freshman Brittany Doyle (1-4) got the start in game two earning a no decision, tossing 4.0 innings, scattering five hits, one run, one earned run and struck out five.

In game one, the Golden Grizzlies broke through in the bottom of the fourth inning as Righetti singled and Schalz drove in a run with a ground out to third base to give Oakland a 2-0 lead.

OU would score two more runs in the sixth inning, highlighted by a pinch-hit RBI single by sophomore Danielle Peters and an RBI single by Schalz as the lead grew to 4-0.

Oakland scored four runs, on 10 hits and had one error, while Detroit had no runs, four hits and one error.

In game two, the Golden Grizzlies took a 1-0 lead in the fourth inning as Righetti singled to center field with two outs to give Oakland the lead.

The Titans responded with four runs in the top of the fifth inning, courtesy of a three-run home run to left field by Erica Houthoofd off of sophomore Marisa Everitt as the Golden Grizzlies fell down for the first time, 4-1.

OU did not waste any time answering as the Grizzlies scored three runs in the bottom half of the fifth inning on consecutive singles by Cicchini and Lynch, then OU's Owen dropped down a squeeze bunt to tie the game as both teams advanced to the sixth inning tied at 4-4.

The Black and Gold then took control of the game with three runs in the sixth inning, this time off a double by Deacon and single by Cicchini as Oakland claimed the doubleheader sweep with a three-run win in game two, 7-4.

OU scored seven runs, on 11 hits and had no errors, while UDM scored four runs, on nine hits and had one error.

The Golden Grizzlies will travel to Eastern Michigan on Tuesday for a non-conference doubleheader with the Eagles. Game time is set for 3 p.m. and can be followed on Gametracker at www.ougrizzlies.com.

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