April 19, 2014

Box Score

VALPARAISO, Ind. - Jackie Kisman was 4-for-7 on the day including 3-for-3 in the first game and Erin Kownacki (5-10) gave up six hits cumulatively through both games as Oakland (12-17, 1-4 HL) split the day with Valparaiso (17-25, 9-4 HL), losing the first contest 2-1 and winning the second 4-2 in eight innings.

Valparaiso started things off in the bottom of the third with a double to left field that scored a runner to go up 1-0. The Crusaders added another run on a solo shot in the bottom of the fifth for the 2-0 advantage. Oakland answered in the top of the sixth when Shannon Cleveland drove in Kisman to cut the lead to 2-1.

In the top of the seventh, Sarah Hartley knocked a single, Meghan Tangney singled to center as well to place two runners on base for OU. A strikeout and a flyout brought Kisman to the plate, who was walked. Morgan Muron stepped in for the two-out rally opportunity but could not convert and was called out on strikes. Oakland dropped the first contest, 2-1.

The nightcap would see Oakland strike first on a two-out double to left field by Courtnee Johnson, driving two runs in for the 2-0 advantage. Kownacki then proceeded to record a three-pitch inning in the bottom of the third to preserve OU's lead. The Crusaders evened the score in the bottom of the fourth, though, on a throwing error and a sacrifice fly for an odd half inning.

Oakland threatened to take the lead in the top of the sixth when Cleveland was walked and Brittany Prior singled to left center, but three outs came before the Grizzlies could score. The affair would go into extra innings, OU up to bat first in the top of the eighth. Prior sent a shot over the left field fence for a two-run homer and the Grizzlies took a 4-2 lead. A six-pitch inning for Kownacki ended the game with a lineout into her glove and OU was victorious in the second game of the day.

Kownacki threw for all 14 innings of the day, surrendering just four runs on six hits with one walk and eight strikeouts. In the second game, she threw a cumulative 83 pitches over eight innings and totaled 69 in the first game through six innings.

Oakland opens up home play on Wednesday, April 23 with a doubleheader with Toledo slated to begin at 2 p.m.

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