May 21, 2011
Box Score
SHREVEPORT, La. - Senior Jake Arendsen set the school record for career appearances, but the Oakland University baseball team (19-31, 10-18) lost 8-5 to Centenary College (12-31, 9-18) in the final game of the season at Shehee Stadium on Saturday. The Golden Grizzlies won the four-game Summit League series 3-1 over the Gents.
"Although we did not get the series sweep today, I am very pleased with our team's finish to the season," said Oakland head coach John Musachio. "We had a special group of seniors that went out the right way; with a road series win."
Arendsen came on in the sixth inning and threw one complete inning of relief in his 76th appearance for OU over his four-year career. That was enough to pass Scott Boleski in the Oakland record books, who made 75 appearances from 2004-07.
"Jake Arendsen breaking the all-time appearance record today is a testament to his resilience and heart," said Musachio.
Oakland took the lead twice, but could not hold on as Centenary scored two runs in four separate innings. The Gents took the lead for good after scoring a pair of runs in the fourth inning and tacked on a pair of insurance runs in the sixth.
After falling behind 2-0, the Golden Grizzlies rallied to take the lead following a four-run third inning. After senior Aaron Wick drove in a run on a sacrifice fly, senior Ryan Waldhardt gave Oakland the lead with a single that drove in sophomore Mike Carson and senior Tommy Jablonski. Waldhardt stole second and eventually scored on a passed ball to give OU a 4-2 lead.
Centenary scored twice in the bottom of the third inning to tie the game at 4-4. Oakland retook the lead in the fifth inning when sophomore Todd Dunham scored on a sacrifice fly from senior D.J. Jarrad. It was a back-and-forth game that featured four lead changes.
Centenary tied the game in the bottom of the fourth inning on a home run by Derek Dalzell and took the lead for good when R.J. Talamantes scored on a wild pitch.
Senior starter Aaron Wick (4-7) suffered the loss for Oakland, giving up six runs on 11 hits over five innings. Wick had two strikeouts and finished second on the team with 39 strikeouts this season. Cole Thompson (2-6) scattered seven hits over six innings to earn the win, while Dalzell (2) recorded the final out to earn his second save of the season.
Waldhardt was 2-for-4 with two RBIs and a run scored to lead Oakland. Jablonski was 2-for-5 and scored a run for Oakland, which was held to just eight hits, snapping a streak of 10 consecutive games with 10 or more hits. Dalzell was 2-for-3 with two RBIs to lead Centenary as they outhit OU 13-8.
By virtue of winning the series the Golden Grizzlies moved ahead of the Gents in the final Summit League standings. It was the final game for Oakland's eight seniors: Arendsen, Jablonski, Jarrad, Waldhardt, Wick, Dan Gliot, Mark Leichtman and Eric Ogg.
-Oakland-
