April 6, 2012
Box Score
ROCHESTER, Mich. - Mike Carson had the game-winning hit and Jeff Gorecki and Russell Luxton combined for a three-hit shutout, as Oakland (5-21, 1-0) opened Summit League play with a 2-0 win over Oral Roberts (13-15, 0-1) on Friday. It was just the second time that the Golden Grizzlies have beaten ORU at J.L. Johnson Stadium.
"Jeff Gorecki was sensational," said Oakland head coach John Musachio. "He got ahead of hitters, threw his secondary pitches for strikes and kept Oral Roberts off balance all night. We've talked about the importance of two-hitting and Mike Carson did that for us today and it was the difference in the game. We're very happy to get the win."
Oakland scored the only runs of the game in the third inning. After a leadoff walk to Robby Enslen, Tim Ryan doubled to put runners in scoring position. Jake Morton drew a two-out walk to load the bases and Carson came through with the game-winning, two-RBI single.
Both Oakland and Oral Roberts managed just three hits each, but it was Gorecki (2-4) who came away with the win. He threw 8.1 innings of shutout baseball and struck out five, while walking just two batters. Luxton (3) came on to record the final two outs, including a bases-loaded strikeout to end the game.
Kurt Giller (1-4) suffered the loss for Oral Roberts, despite striking out 11 batters. No one on either team managed more than one hit and Ryan's double was the only extra-base hit in the game. Oral Roberts stranded nine runners, while OU left three.
Oakland has now won back-to-back games over Oral Roberts dating back to last season, which is a first for the program, which earned it's fifth win over the Golden Eagles in school history. OU has now won two-straight games after snapping a 10-game losing streak with a home win over Western Michigan on Wednesday.
The Golden Grizzlies are back in action Saturday, with a Summit League doubleheader against the Golden Eagles with first pitch of game one slated for 3 p.m. ET.
