April 5, 2009

Box Score

Game 1 Box / Game 2 Box

ROCHESTER, Mich. - Sophomore D.J. Jarrad picked up three hits in the opening game, while fellow sophomore Ryan Waldhart picked up a pair of hits in the nightcap, but the Oakland University baseball team (8-16, 1-3 Summit League) fell victim to late hitting from the Western Illinois Leathernecks (6-14, 3-1 Summit League), dropping a 9-7, 11-inning contest in the opening game of the day and a 3-1 decision in the series finale.

In the opener, an RBI double in the third inning put the Golden Grizzlies on the board. Leading 1-0, the Golden Grizzlies cruised through the next two innings and pushed ahead 2-0 after an RBI double by Andrew Stafford in the bottom of the fifth.

However, the Leathernecks knotted the contest at 2-2 in the top of the sixth as pinch-hitter Darren Spicer blasted a two-run homer, and WIU pulled ahead 6-2 after a four-run performance in the top of the eighth. Oakland would not go quietly, however, pulling to within 6-4 after a bunt single by freshman Tim Ryan, combined with a throwing error allowed two runs to score. An RBI grounder by senior Justin Wilson pulled OU to within 6-5, and the Golden Grizzlies took a 7-6 lead in the bottom of the eighth on a two-run homer by Stafford.

The Leathernecks rallied in the top of the ninth, using a pair of walks and a wild pitch to get the game-tying run to third base. WIU tied the game after a sacrifice fly, and scored the eventual game-winner in the top of the 11th on a two-run error.

Sophomore Kasey Kearcher suffered the loss in relief, allowing two runs, one earned, in 1.2 innings of work. Fellow sophomore Jake Arendsen tossed a scoreless eighth for OU. Wilson, Tim Ryan, Dan Ryan, and Stafford all had two hits.

In the second game of the contest, Wilson led off the bottom of the first with a first-pitch homer, but the Golden Grizzlies were unable to muster any further offense against WIU starter David Hill, who went the distance, scattering six OU hits. OU loaded the bases with two outs in the bottom of the seventh, but could not plate another run as the Leathernecks picked up the victory.

Sophomore Aaron Wick suffered the loss after allowing three runs, all earned, on nine hits in 5.2 innings of work. Arendsen also tossed 1.1 scoreless innings in the nightcap.

The Golden Grizzlies will return to action on Tuesday, April 7, when they host Western Michigan at the OU Baseball Field. First pitch is scheduled for 3 p.m.

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