Feb. 21, 2013

Game 1 Box Score | Game 2 Box Score

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. - Erika Polidori finished the day with three hits including a three-run home run, while Whitney Weston added three hits and drove in a run as the Oakland softball team (3-5) concluded its southern swing falling in a doubleheader to Florida A&M (3-9), 4-0 and 5-4, at the Seminole Softball Complex at Florida State on Thursday afternoon.

"Erin (Kownacki) threw well for us in game one but we never recovered from a bad first inning as I expected us to get right back in there and dominate their pitcher," said coach Connie Miner. "We again battled until the last out. We came out much better in the second game defensively and made better adjustments at the plate. We put the bat on the ball, moved runners, but just came up short in the end."

The Lady Rattlers jumped out to an early lead in the first inning of the opening game led by a two-RBI triple by Kieif Myrick as FAMU took a 4-0 lead. Erin Kownacki (3-2) settled down after that inning only giving up three hits the rest of the game. She finished the game throwing 6.0 innings, giving up four runs, two earned on six hits and struck out three batters.

Polidori finished the game with two hits and OU's best scoring chance came in the third inning as Weston singled and stole second but was unable to score as Oakland fell 4-0.

In the nightcap, the Golden Grizzlies grabbed the first lead as Polidori blasted a three-run home run, scoring Weston and Jackie Kisman for the 3-0 advantage in the third inning. Florida A&M cut the lead to 3-2 in the fifth but Oakland responded in the seventh inning as Weston recorded her second hit of the game and scored Courtney Wroubel to push the lead to 4-2.

The Lady Rattlers would score three runs in the bottom of the seventh inning as Briel Gordon drove in two runs on a double to centerfield to tie the game. Later in the inning, a wild pitch would score Naesha Lewis from third base to defeat OU 5-4.

Laura Pond (0-2) suffered her second loss of the season, throwing a complete game, giving up five earned runs and striking out three batters.

The Golden Grizzlies will be in action on March 20 as they take on in-state rival Central Michigan at Margo Jonker Stadium in a doubleheader.

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