March 23, 2012

Box Score

EAST LANSING, Mich. - Nolan Jacoby was 2-for-3 for Oakland (3-14) in a tight, 2-1, loss to Michigan State (11-7) on Friday at McClane Stadium. Both teams finished the day with seven hits and the score was tied heading into the eighth inning.

"We got outstanding starting pitching from Jeff Gorecki," said Oakland coach John Musachio. "We had our opportunities to take the lead early in the game, but failed to take advantage of those chances."

Oakland jumped out to a lead in the first inning. Tim Ryan reached on an error and then stole two bases before scoring on an RBI-single by Aaron Cieslak. The cleanup hitter, Cieslak leads OU with 12 RBIs this season and was the only Golden Grizzlies player with multiple hits in the game.

Michigan State tied the game in the third when Jared Hook hit a leadoff double and eventually came in to score on a sacrifice fly. The Spartans took the lead in the eighth when Tony Wieber doubled to left center to drive in Jordan Keur from first. Wieber finished the game 2-for-3 and was one of three Spartans with two hits.

Oakland reliever Bryan Jagielo managed to get OU out of the eighth inning without further damage. Inheriting a runner on third and one out, he got a strikeout and a groundout to end the threat.

Both OU and MSU failed to score with the bases loaded and one in the second and sixth inning respectively. The Michigan State pitchers also picked off four Oakland runners.

Oakland reliever Kevin Korkate (0-1) suffered the loss in relief of Jeff Gorecki, who pitched well, striking out three and allowing just one run through six innings. Jeff Kinley (2-2) earned the win in relief for MSU, while Wieber (5) picked up the save.

The Golden Grizzlies will continue the three-game series with Michigan State on Saturday at 1:05 p.m .

-OAKLAND-