March 31, 2010

Game 1 Box | Game 2 Box

MOUNT PLEASANT, Mich. - Sophomore Brittany Doyle picked up her third win in a row, pitching in all seven innings of game one, and sophomore Leah DiCristofaro and senior Audrey Sabourin each recorded home runs as the Oakland University softball team (11-21, 3-3 Summit League) split their doubleheader against Central Michigan University (13-8) Wednesday afternoon at Margo Jonker Field. OU won the first game 4-2, but dropped the second 6-3.

The Golden Grizzlies created a gap early in game one with a three-run first inning, with runs coming from a single by freshman Alivia Nikolaus and two more from a walk and a catcher's inference.The Golden Grizzlies could have caused more damage with two outs and bases loaded, but CMU was able to pitch out of a jam to leave the OU lead at 3-0.

After CMU got on the board in the second to narrow the margin to 3-1, Oakland scored what would be its insurance run in the top of the sixth inning when DiCristofaro smashed a home run to center field to increase OU's lead to 4-1. Central Michigan notched one more run in the bottom of the sixth, but Doyle was able to force a pop out and line out and striking out one to seal the 4-3 victory.

Doyle (8-9) went the distance in the win, walking two batters and fanning three. Kari Sheddon (6-4) was credited with the loss, recording 10 strikeouts and walking six in all seven innings of work. Oakland scored four runs off three hits with one error, while CMU scored two runs off nine hits, also committing one error.

In the nightcap, the Golden Grizzlies took advantage of two CMU errors to get on the board 1-0 in the first inning, only to have the Chippewas knot the game up 1-1 in the bottom of the inning. Oakland took the lead the third when a single by senior Haley Emerson brought home sophomore Kelsey Krych to go up 2-1.

But Central Michigan raked in four runs in the bottom of the third off two singles and a double and scored a fifth run off a throwing error by the catcher to bring the score to 6-2. Junior Marisa Everitt came out in a relief role and notched a strikeout to retire the side.

Oakland got an offensive boost in the fourth when Sabourin recorded her first home run of the year, sending the ball sailing over center field to bring the score to 6-3. But OU wasn't able to get on the board again as they were held hitless over the for the remaining three innings to secure the 6-3 loss.

Junior Alison Tansel (1-6) was the pitcher of record, allowing six runs off seven hits in 2.2 innings of work. Everitt allowed just one hit and five strikeouts in 3.1 innings of relief. Kara Dornbos (6-1) pitched all seven innings recording three walks and fanning seven batters in the win. Oakland scored three runs off five hits with three errors, while Central Michigan scored six runs off eight hits, committing two errors.

The Golden Grizzlies will open up the home schedule with a three-game Summit League series against IUPUI starting with a doubleheader on Friday, April 2. First pitch is scheduled for 3 p.m. and can be followed on Gametracker at www.ougrizzlies.com.

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