May 4, 2014

Box Score

VALPARAISO, Ind. - Zach Sterry went 3-for-4 with a RBI and a run scored and Trent Pell added two hits as the Oakland baseball team (8-28, 3-15 HL) fell in the series finale to Valparaiso (18-24, 8-10 HL), 8-4, Sunday afternoon at Emory G. Bauer Field.

"We just didn't play clean enough today," said head coach John Musachio. "We had too many walks by the pitching staff and a few costly mistakes defensively."

Trailing 4-3, Valparaiso would take its first lead of the game in the fifth inning as Chris Manning scored on an error followed by Mark Johnson doubling in a run to make the score 5-4. The Crusaders added two more runs in the sixth inning as they scored on back-to-back wild pitches.

Oakland scored first in the second inning as Spencer Marentette grounded out to plate Sterry followed by Ian Yetsko singling to right field to drive in Jared Theisen to lead 2-0. Valpo tied the game in the bottom half of the inning on a Karch Kowalczyk RBI-single and then later scored on a passed ball.

The Golden Grizzlies once again grabbed a two-run advantage in the third inning as Robby Enslen scored on a passed ball followed by Sterry driving home Mike Brosseau. Valpo would respond with one run in the bottom of the third as Michael Morman hit a RBI-single.

Oakland starter Jake Paulson (3-6) threw 5.1 innings allowing six runs, three earned, on 11 hits with four strikeouts. Ellis Forman earned the win tossing 7.0 innings, allowing four runs on eight hits with four strikeouts.

OU finished with four runs on nine hits with two errors, while Valpo ended the game with eight runs on 14 hits and committed one error.

The Golden Grizzlies will play its final home series of the season beginning on Friday as they host Milwaukee at the OU Baseball Field starting at 3 p.m.

#FightOakland