Feb. 26, 2014

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FORT MYERS, Fla. - Erin Kownacki (4-3) and Kaley Waalkes (3-1) each pitched complete games for Oakland with four hits given up a piece as Oakland (6-7) added two to the win column by defeating Eastern Michigan (5-7) 5-3 and FGCU (9-7-1) 2-1 on Wednesday at FGCU Softball Field. The Golden Grizzlies are now on a four-game win streak.

The first contest of the day was scoreless until the top of the third inning when a defensive debacle broke out for Eastern Michigan. Oakland scored four runs, only one of them earned, to gain a large advantage over the Eagles. Erika Polidori and Morgan Muron led the charge for OU on offense as Polidori had one hit and two runs and Muron had two hits and an RBI.

Eastern Michigan brought three runs across the plate in the bottom of six but Oakland would add one more insurance run in the top of seven and the Eagles were unable to contribute any further runs in the game. Kownacki earned six strikeouts while only walking two.

In the second game of the day, FGCU put up one run in the bottom of two in what proved to be a battle between defenses. Oakland got on the board in the top of five with two runs of its own to lead the contest 2-1. The Golden Grizzlies would carry this lead until the bottom of the seventh inning when FGCU loaded the bases with two outs. Waalkes remained calm and collected in the circle and threw an outside pitch, forcing the batter to swing for strike three and the third out.

Oakland enjoys a day off on Thursday before resuming action on Friday at the USF Tournament. The Grizzlies take on Quinnipiac at 11:45 a.m. and St. Bonaventure at 2:15 p.m.

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