Feb. 17, 2013

GSU Box Score

NKU Box Score

PANTHERSVILLE, Ga. - Erika Polidori finished with three hits and three runs batted in, Sarah Hartley and Alivia Nikolaus drove in two runs each and Erin Kownacki recorded her second win of the season as the Oakland softball team (2-1) defeated Northern Kentucky, 6-4, and fell to Georgia State, 11-2, on Saturday.

"We played a great overall game against Northern Kentucky," said coach Connie Miner. "We had to battle as a team for this win today. I loved our composure and determination throughout the game but especially in the 7th inning to come from a run down. Against Georgia State we came out swinging the bat and scored two in the first but we let the momentum get away from us with a couple errors and missed pitches. We learned a lot about ourselves in this game that will make us much stronger tomorrow."

Down one in the seventh to NKU, the Golden Grizzlies tied the game as Nikolaus singled in Hartley to even the game at 4-4. Polidori drove home the game-winning runs as she singled to left field, bringing home Nikoaus and Kisman for the 6-4 victory.

Kownacki earned the victory (2-0) throwing the final 1.2 innings giving up only one hit. Laura Pond started the game throwing 4.0 innings, giving up three earned runs on three hits and striking out four batters.

OU scored first in the second inning as Hartley singled to left field to score Erin Galloway from second base. Northern Kentucky tied the game at 1-1 but Oakland took back the lead in the fourth inning as Hartley drove in her second run of the game on a fielder's choice and Whitney Weston scored on a groundout to third by Nikoloaus for a 3-1 advantage.

The Norse took the lead as Natalie Papi hit a two-run home run in the bottom of the fourth inning and Emily Schwaeble hit a solo home run in the sixth inning for the 4-3 lead.

In the nightcap, the Golden Grizzlies scored first as Polidori and Galloway hit back-to-back RBI doubles to lead 2-0 in the first inning. The Panthers tied the score in the top of the third as Paige Nowacki hit a two-run home run and took the lead with a four-run fourth inning led by a two-RBI triple by Ashley Christy.

GSU's Kaitlyn Medlam (3-2) earned the win throwing a complete game, giving up two earned runs on five hits. Kownacki (2-1) suffered the loss throwing 4.0 innings, giving up seven runs, four earned, and striking out two batters.

Oakland will be on the field on Tuesday when they face Columbus State in a doubleheader starting at 1 p.m. at Cougar Field.

#FightOakland