March 21, 2012

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TOLEDO, Ohio - Aaron Cieslak went 2-for-3, but Oakland (3-12) lost, 3-2, to Toledo (8-11), Wednesday at the Baseball Complex at Scott Park. The Golden Grizzlies scored two runs in the sixth to erase an early deficit.

"This team is on the verge of something special," said Oakland coach John Musachio. "I go into every game knowing that we're fully capable of winning that day. We simply need to apply more of the principles we work on in practice in key situations."

Tied 2-2, Toledo loaded the bases with one out in the bottom of the ninth. After a force play at home it looked like the Golden Grizzlies might extend the game to extra innings. However, Ben Hammer came through with a single just inside the left field to drive in the game-winning run.

Todd Dunham sparked the OU rally in the sixth inning with a leadoff single, before eventually scoring on an Ian Yetsko RBI. Mike Carson doubled and Cieslak singled to put runners on the corners for the Golden Grizzlies, who manufactured the tying run. Cieslak stole second, allowing Carson to score on the throw, which got past the second baseman into centerfield.

Cieslak was the only Oakland player with multiple hits as Toledo outhit OU 10-7. Anthony Smith went 3-for-4 and put the Rockets ahead with a solo home run in the second inning.

Toledo was fortunate to add another run in the fourth, when a potential inning-ending fly ball was lost in the sun and dropped for a hit. With runners at the corners, Smith singled right back at the pitcher and the ball caromed off his leg into shallow right field.

The Golden Grizzlies continued to battle and put a runner into scoring position in four of the final five innings. However, team stranded five runners scoring position.

Reliever Andrew Marra (1-0) picked up his first win and the Toledo pitching staff combined for 10 strikeouts. Russell Luxton (0-3) suffered the loss in relief.

Oakland will play a weekend series at Michigan State starting on Friday at 3:05 p.m.

-OAKLAND-