April 1, 2012
Box Score
Game 1 Box Score | Game 2 Box Score
BOONE, N.C. - Aaron Cieslak had four hits and drove in two runs, but Oakland (3-21) lost a pair of games, 14-5 and 10-5, to Appalachian State (22-5) on Sunday at Smith Stadium. Tim Ryan, Ian Yetsko and Jake Morton each had three hits in the two games.
"I tip my cap to Appalachian State," said Oakland head coach John Musachio. "They are a top-30-ranked team for a reason. Our guys really competed offensively and defensively today. We showed a lot of grit and if it weren't for two great defensively plays, we'd have scored four more runs made it a completely different game."
Game 1
Cieslak and Yetsko both finished with a pair of hits in the opening game of the day, which OU lost 14-5. The game began on Saturday but was suspended in the bottom of the fifth inning with Oakland trailing 10-3, before play was resumed on Sunday.
After mustering just three hits through the first five innings, Oakland responded with six hits over the final four and added a pair of runs in the seventh inning. Ryan stole second and a bad throw allowed Kyle Bobolts to score. Morton then drove in Ryan for the second run.
The Mountaineers had 14 hits in the game and added a run in the bottom of the seventh on a home run by Tyler Tewell, who went 3-for-4 with three RBIs. Will Callaway also went 3-for-4 for ASU and drove in three runs.
Hayden Fox (0-5) went 3.2 innings and had two strikeouts, taking the loss for OU. Seth Grant (5-1) was the winning pitcher, going five innings and recording four strikeouts.
Game 2
In game two, the Golden Grizzlies fell behind early, but managed to claw their way back before the Mountaineers eventually pulled away for the 10-5 win.
Oakland trailed 6-0, but rallied with a five-run fifth inning. Nolan Jacoby started the rally with a leadoff single and scored on an RBI-single by Ryan. Cieslak then drove in two more runs before back-to-back RBI-singles by Spencer Marentette and Yetsko made it a one-run game.
After ASU responded with two runs in the bottom of the fifth, the Golden Grizzlies fell just short of an immediate response. OU put two runners into scoring position and Mike Carson hit a liner down the left field line that would have driven in both, but Brandon Burris came up with a diving grab that ended the inning instead.
After OU had come close to cutting into the The Mountaineers lead, ASU extended it with two more runs in the bottom of the sixth to pull away. Appalachian State outhit Oakland 12-10 behind a 4-for-5 effort from Tewell. Trey Holmes was also a factor with two home runs and four RBIs.
Ryan, Morton and Cieslak each had a pair of hits. Starter Brady Adamek (0-3) went five innings and struck out two in the loss. Rob Marcello (4-1) got the win for ASU, throwing 5.2 innings with four strikeouts.
Having played 24 straight road games to open the season, Oakland will return home to the OU Baseball Field for the team's home opener against Western Michigan on Wednesday at 3 p.m.
"After 24 games on the road, we are excited to open the home portion of our schedule and open summit league play," concluded Musachio.
-OAKLAND-
