May 11, 2009

Box Score

MOUNT PLEASANT, Mich. - Senior Rob Merkle had four hits, and senior Taylor Traub had three, but it was not enough for the Oakland University baseball team (19-32) as they dropped an 8-7, 11-inning heartbreaker to the Central Michigan Chippewas (24-27) on Monday at Theunissen Stadium.

Central Michigan jumped on the board first, scoring first on a fielder's choice and then using a three-run blast by Nate Theunissen to take a 4-0 lead after the first inning. The Golden Grizzlies got on the board just one inning later, as senior Rob Merkle belted an RBI single to narrow the gap to 4-1.

The Golden Grizzlies cut the gap to 4-2 in the top of the fourth, scoring a run on a sacrifice fly by senior Tony Williams, and then knotted the game in the top of the sixth after back-to-back doubles by senior Taylor Traub and Merkle. With the bases loaded later in the frame, senior Justin Wilson hit a two-run single to push the Golden Grizzlies to a 6-4 lead.

The Chippewas began to chip away at the OU lead in the bottom of the seventh, scoring a run on a failed pickoff attempt, and then loading the bases with two out. OU reliever Kasey Kearcher shut down the CMU threat, however, preserving the OU lead.

CMU came back again in the bottom of the eighth, scoring a run on a wild pitch, and later tying the game at 7-7 on a solo homer by Dale Cornstubble. The two teams posted a scoreless ninth inning, sending the contest into extra innings.

However, CMU took advantage of a late error to plate the winning run in the bottom of the 11th inning and seal the CMU win.

Wilson also posted two hits in the loss. Freshman Connor Mielock earned a no decision on the mound, scattering six hits over six innings, allowing four runs. Sophomore Kasey Kearcher suffered the loss, falling to 0-4 on the season after allowing four runs, three earned, in 4.2 innings of work.

The Golden Grizzlies will return to action on Tuesday, May 12, as they head to Bowling Green for a 3 p.m. game with the Falcons.

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