May 24, 2013

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ROCHESTER, Mich. - Robby Enslen and Nolan Jacoby each drove in two runs and right-handed pitcher Tim Koons threw 6.0 strong innings, allowing four hits, three runs and fanned three, to lead Oakland (20-35) in an 8-4 loss to top-seeded South Dakota State (32-22) on Friday in an elimination game at The Summit League Baseball Championship on the OU Baseball Field. The Golden Grizzlies were outhit 12-8.

"It seemed like we were one pitch away from getting out of every inning they scored runs in today," said OU coach John Musachio. "They took advantage of their opportunities and we simply could not push runs across."

Kevin Korkate (3-2) took the loss for the Golden Grizzlies in the relief, allowing three hits, two runs and no earned runs in the seventh inning. Russell Luxton Jr. made his final appearance on the mound, giving up a run in the ninth inning and struck out one.

Spencer Marentette finished 2-for-3 in the game, while Trent Drumheller went 2-for-5. SDSU's Daniel Telford went 2-for-4, with a home run and two RBIs, and Andrew Melton finished 2-for-4, with a double and two RBIs.

The Golden Grizzlies went 14 consecutive innings without a run in the tournament, before breaking through for four runs in the sixth inning. OU loaded the bases with no outs on two base hits and an error. After a shallow fly out to right field and strike out, Jacoby delivered a big two-out single to right field to score two runs. Enslen then doubled down the left-field line to score two more as the Grizzlies took their first lead of the game, 4-3.

The Jackrabbits wasted little time regaining the lead with two runs in the sixth inning. After an error and base hit, the Jacks popped up a bunt attempt for the first out of the inning. After a strikeout, the Jacks' Scott Splett doubled to left-center field to plate a run. Telford, who smashed a two-run home run in the sixth inning, was intentionally walked to load the bases. Paul Jacobson then hit a shot through the left side that Marentette dove and snagged, but was unable to record an out as OU went down by a score of 5-4.

SDSU would extend its lead to four runs with two more in the eighth and one more in the ninth to advance at the tournament. The Golden Grizzlies were eliminated with the loss and finished 0-2.

OU scored four runs, on eight hits and committed one error, while SDSU scored eight runs, on 12 hits and had two errors.

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