April 30, 2010

Game 1 Box Score | Game 2 Box Score

ROCHESTER, Mich. - Senior Haley Emerson notched two hits in game one as she and senior Katie Dreyer drove in the game-tying runs, but it wasn't enough to secure the win as the Oakland University softball team (15-31, 7-10 Summit League) fell in both games of their doubleheader against Western Illinois (29-15, 15-2 Summit League) by scores of 5-2 and 8-0 Friday afternoon at the OU Softball Field.

The Fighting Leathernecks got on the board first when Jamie Goss singled to left field in the first inning to drive in a run and Ashley Campbell homered to left field in the third inning to run the score up to 2-0.

But the Golden Grizzlies came back with a bite, starting with sophomore Kelsey Krych getting herself into scoring position after stealing second base with one out. A bunt by Dreyer brought Krych home and a single to left field by Emerson drove in junior Danielle Peters to knot the game up at 2-2.

WIU took advantage of a four-hit seventh inning, driving in three runs of a two-RBI double by Campbell and a single by Colleen Biebel to make the score 5-2. OU had a chance for a comeback when junior Alyssa Deacon advanced to third and Peters was walked to put two runners on for Dreyer, but she grounded out to the third baseman to keep the score at its 5-2 final.

Marisa Everitt (5-9) was charged with the loss, allowing five runs, four of them earned, and striking out five batters in all seven innings. Kamren Ferguson (17-9) picked up the win after she went the distance with two runs, one of them earned, six strikeouts and two runs. Oakland scored two runs off seven hits with two errors, while WIU recorded five runs off eight hits, committing one error.

Western Illinois jumped out to an early lead in the first inning of the nightcap with a two-RBI single by Goss and tacked on two additional runs in the second off a two-RBI single by Julie DePolo to give WIU an 4-0 lead. A second DePolo single in the fourth inning gave WIU a 5-0 lead.

After three consecutive one-two-three innings for Oakland, WIU scored three runs off a two-RBI double to center field by Lori Pankratz and a single by Nikki Marinec drove up the score to 8-0 after seven innings. Deacon reached first base in the bottom of the seventh on a field error by the second baseman, but the Golden Grizzlies couldn't start a comeback as a the next batter popped out to end the game with the 8-0 final score.

Brittany Doyle (9-14) picked up the loss, allowing 13 and eight runs, seven earned and striking out two batters. Pankratz (9-5) earned the win after scattering two hits and striking out six in seven innings of work.Oakland scored no runs off two hits with three errors, while WIU scored eight runs off 13 hits, committing one error.

The Golden Grizzlies will close out the home portion of the 2010 season with the series finale on Saturday, May 1 with first pitch scheduled for noon. It will also be Senior Day, where the Golden Grizzlies will honor its eight seniors for their time in the Black and Gold. The game can be followed via Gametracker at www.ougrizzlies.com

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