May 8, 2010

Game 1 | Game 2

FARGO, N.D. - Junior Tommy Jablonski went 5-for-8 and drove in three runs while junior Ryan Waldhart was 5-for-7 as the Oakland University baseball team (7-10 Summit, 16-27) lost two close ones, 7-3 and 5-4 to North Dakota State (8-9 Summit, 19-23) at Newman Outdoor Field Saturday afternoon.

In game one, sophomore Tim Ryan led off with a single up the middle and moved to third on a sacrifice bunt. Jablonski singled through the right side to score Ryan and make it 1-0, Oakland. North Dakota State would score a run in the second and fourth innings to take the lead at 2-1.

With one out in the fifth, freshman Todd Dunham singled and then stole second and third. Sophomore Connor Mielock grounded out to push Dunham across the plate. The Bison would score three runs over the next three innings to take a 5-2 lead after seven innings.

Mielock singled to start the eighth and was forced out on a fielder's choice by Ryan. Following a strike out, Jablonski singled to move Ryan to second. NDSU then mishandled a grounder hit by Cieslak which allowed Ryan to score. The Bison would score twice in the bottom half to seal the game.

Jablonski and junior Aaron Wick were both 2-for-4 at the plate while Ryan scored twice. Sophomore Kyle Teague (5-5) gave up seven hits, five runs, two of them earned, walked one and struck out five in seven innings.

The Golden Grizzlies would score in the first inning again to open the nightcap. Waldhart singled through the right side and Jablonski followed with a single through the left side. Waldhart beat the throw to third with Jablonski moving to second. Freshman Mike Carson flew out down the right field line to score Waldhart.

North Dakota State scored one run in the first and fourth innings to take a 2-1 lead into the seventh. With two outs, senior Brett Geschke and Ryan each singled. Geschke was replaced on the bases by junior Eric Ogg.

With the runners going, Waldhart ripped a single up the middle. Ogg scored and Ryan moved to third. Jablonski dropped a single into right center field to score Ryan making it 3-2. The Bison came back in the bottom of the eight to tie the game at 3-3.

In the ninth, sophomore John Estes singled up the middle and moved to third on a single by Waldhart. Jablonski laced a single through the left side to score Estes. In the bottom of the ninth, NDSU scored twice to hand OU a heartbreaking loss.

Waldhart was 4-for-4 while Jablonski was 3-for-4 and drove in two runs. Junior Jake Arendsen (1-2) gave up two hits, two runs, walked one and struck out one in one inning.

Oakland closes the series against North Dakota State with a doubleheader on Sunday, May 9. The first game is scheduled to start at 2:00 p.m.

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