May 17, 2012
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ROCHESTER, Mich. - Tim Ryan went 4-for-5 and became the school's career stolen base leader, but Oakland (21-29, 12-6) lost a slugfest, 10-8, to Southern Utah (18-31, 12-8) on Thursday at the OU Baseball Field. The two teams combined for 30 hits in the opening game of a four-game Summit League series.
"We didn't play very well defensively and dug ourselves an early hole," said head coach John Musachio. "We need to play better, because we are better than what we showed today."
After allowing four unearned runs in the first inning, Oakland managed to claw back into the game and eventually took the lead 6-5 on a two-RBI double from Ryan in the third inning. Ryan then swiped third base for his record-setting 81st career stolen base. He added another stolen base in the fifth to bring his total this season to 25, which is the second most in a single-season at OU.
Southern Utah scored twice in the fourth inning to retake the lead 7-6. The Golden Grizzlies quickly responded with two runs in the bottom of the frame on a bases-loaded single by Robby Enslen, to go ahead 8-7. Enslen was 2-for-4 on the day with four RBIs.
"I thought we came out swinging the bats well and scored enough runs to win," surmised Musachio. "When you score eight runs you should win a baseball game, but five errors is not how a championship team performs. I don't know if our guys were too tight or too loose, but that is not the Oakland way and I can tell you that it's going to be better."
In a game where each team had 15 hits, OU was not able to hold onto the lead. SUU scored a run in the sixth then scored twice in the top of the seventh to take the lead for good. Reliever Matt Nelson (2-3) allowed just three hits and held OU scoreless over the final five innings for the win.
"Matt Nelson went out and put up five zero's through five innings," added Musachio. "He did a great job of keeping us off balance and cooled us off in a hurry. I tip my cap to him because he earned the win today."
Ryan's four hits led the Oakland offensive effort, while Enslen, Nolan Jacoby and Ian Yetsko added two hits each. Bo Cuthberson, Marcus Romero and Mitchell Kauweloa each had three hits to lead SUU. Despite the hit total being even, the OU defense committed five errors, which were the difference in the game, allowing SUU to score six unearned runs.
Oakland starter Jeff Gorecki went six innings but got a no-decision. Reliever Dan Augustine (1-1) suffered the loss for the Golden Grizzlies.
The two teams will return to the OU Baseball Field on Friday for a doubleheader starting at noon.
-OAKLAND-
