March 27, 2010
Box Score
ST. GEORGE, Utah - Senior Katie Dreyer went 4-4 from the plate with two RBI, helping the Oakland University softball team (10-20, 3-3 Summit League) make quick work of Southern Utah (6-22, 2-7 Summit League) with a 13-3 victory in five innings Saturday afternoon at Karl Brooks Field.
Oakland got into prime scoring position early when sophomore Kelsey Krych stole second and advanced to third on a passed ball to be brought home on a single by Dreyer. Freshman Dani Dulberg added to the tally when she doubled to center field to drive in two more runs to give the Golden Grizzlies a 3-0 lead.
The Thunderbirds struck back in the bottom of the first after Whitnie Griffith was walked with bases loaded and a single by Darleen Fernandez drove in two runs to tie the game up 3-3. Those would be the last runs the Thunderbirds would score in the game, however as the Golden Grizzlies took control of the tempo after the first inning.
The Golden Grizzlies notched four runs in the second, scoring off singles by junior Danielle Peters and Dreyer, as well as a double by senior Haley Emerson to drive the Oakland lead up to 7-3.
Oakland continued to roll in the fourth inning, as they capitalized on a fielding error, two hit-by-pitches and a wild pitch to bring in four more runs to bring the score to 11-3.
Dreyer connected on her fourth hit of the contest in the fifth inning, a double to left center, and then subsequently stole third base, setting up Emerson to bring her home with a sacrifice fly. Senior Erica Lozon added one more dagger, singling to center field to drive in sophomore Leah DiCristofaro to bring the game to what would be its 13-3 final score.
Sophomore Brittany Doyle (7-9) went the distance for the victory, with three earned runs and fanning four batters in five innings. Kara Bendt (0-6) was recorded with the loss after allowing seven runs off six hits and adding two walks in 1.1 innings of work. Oakland scored 13 runs off 12 hits with one error, while Southern Utah notched three runs off seven hits, committing two errors.
The Golden Grizzlies will next take on non-league opponent Central Michigan University in a cross-town doubleheader on Saturday, March 31, with first pitch scheduled for 2 p.m.
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