May 20, 2010
Box Score
ROCHESTER, Mich. - Junior Aaron Wick drove in the game-winning run with two outs in the bottom of the ninth inning and junior right-handed pitcher Mark Leichtman (2-5) tossed 2.0 scoreless innings as Oakland University (19-32, 10-14) rallied late to upend Southern Utah University (18-33, 11-13), 13-12, in Summit League action at the OU Baseball Field on Thursday.
Wick finished the game 4-for-6 with four runs scored, three runs batted in and smashed his second home run of the season. Junior Ryan Waldhart went 3-for-6 and drove in three runs, while junior D.J. Jarrad drove in five runs, finishing 3-for-5 and connected on his second dinger of the season.
Bo Cuthbertson led the T-Birds with a 4-for-6 performance, scoring three times and drove in one run. Joe Goldenberg went 3-for-3 with two RBIs.
It looked like Oakland was going to run away with the game, taking a commanding 8-1 lead in the fourth inning after Jarrad doubled with two runners on to cap a three-run inning.
The Thunderbirds had other ideas as they pushed three runs across in the fifth inning and four more in the sixth inning, courtesy of nine hits and some timely hitting as the score moved to 8-5 in favor of Oakland.
SUU would take its first lead of the game in the seventh inning as pinch hitter Mitchell Kauweloa homered to left field on the first pitch he saw as the Golden Grizzlies trailed 9-8.
OU would tie the game in the bottom of the eighth inning on a two-out RBI single to center field by Jarrad as the game advanced to the ninth inning with the score tied at 9-9.
Leichtman allowed a one-out single through the right side and the base runner moved into scoring position on a wild pitch to start the ninth inning. After a fly out to right field, the T-Birds capitalized on an error by the OU second baseman that allowed the run to score from second base and the Golden Grizzlies found themselves down by a run, 12-11, heading into their final at-bat.
With one out, senior Brett Geschke singled to left field and was lifted in favor of junior pinch runner Eric Ogg. Ogg advanced to second base on a hit-and-run in which the Thunderbirds recorded the out at first base. Waldhart then laced a single to center field and the throw sent the SUU catcher up the line a little and Ogg collided with him, causing the umpire to rule obstruction and tie the game at 12-12.
Junior Tommy Jablonski was then intentionally walked and sophomore Aaron Cieslak reached on an error by the shortstop to give the Grizzlies bases loaded with two outs. Wick then delivered with a bloop single to left field as OU kept its Summit League Tournament hopes alive with a crucial win over the T-Birds.
OU scored 13 runs, on 18 hits and committed two errors, while SUU had 12 runs, 21 hits and four errors.
Games two and three will take place tomorrow at the OU Baseball Field and can be followed via live stats on OUgrizzlies.com. First pitch is scheduled for Noon.
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