May 12, 2011

Box Score

CEDAR CITY, Utah - Junior Tim Ryan was 3-for-5, but it wasn't enough as Oakland University (14-28, 6-15) lost 17-12 to Southern Utah University (21-26, 9-12) in the opener of their Summit League baseball series on Thursday at Thunderbird Park. The Golden Grizzlies and Thunderbirds combined for 32 hits, including four home runs.

After falling behind 8-0 to start the game, Oakland pulled to within one run on three separate occasions. However, OU never gained a lead and SUU scored four insurance runs in the eighth inning to cement the win. Southern Utah outhit Oakland 19-13.

Trailing by eight runs in the fourth inning, Oakland rallied to score seven runs on eight hits. The Golden Grizzlies hit four RBI singles to start the inning, followed by a two-RBI triple by senior D.J. Jarrad. Senior Tommy Jablonski followed up with an RBI-single that scored Jarrad cutting SUU's lead to 8-7.

After Southern Utah pushed the lead to 12-7, Oakland rallied in the top of the sixth inning. Sophomore Mike Carson capped the four-run rally with a two-run home run that made it 12-11. SUU scored in the bottom of the sixth to make it 13-11, before OU senior Dan Gliot homered in the seventh to make it 13-12.

Ryan scored twice and had an RBI as he led OU in hits. Jablonski, Carson and Gliot each had two hits and drove in two runs. Eight different Golden Grizzlies had a hit in the game.

Taylor Shaw was 4-for-5 with a home run to lead Southern Utah. He drove in three runs and scored four. Justin Neuhart was 2-for-4 with a three-run home run in the first inning and finished with five RBIs. The Thunderbirds scored in every inning except the seventh.

Oakland starter Mark Leichtman (2-5) threw 4.1 innings in the losing effort. For Southern Utah, Jesse Hartle (2-0) picked up the win as the most effective reliever after not allowing a hit in the eighth inning.

Oakland and Southern Utah will continue the four-game series on Friday with a doubleheader starting on at 2 p.m. ET.

-OAKLAND-