Box Score

GREENVILLE, NC - Lauren Mead and TJ Bindus sparked the Oakland softball team accounting for three runs in the top of the seventh inning. However, the rally fell short as the Golden Grizzlies dropped the season opener 7-3 to host East Carolina at the Pirate Classic on Friday at the ECU Softball Stadium. Laura Pond was also solid in relief going five and a third innings with six strikeouts.

"As the game went on, we got more comfortable being outside. After the bad first inning where they got four runs, we held them really well behind Laura who came in and pitched great, moved the ball well and settled everything down," said head coach Connie Miner. "We were hitting the ball hard but right at people at first so it is nice when you keep battling to earn some runs. My teams have always battled and they believe the same way that I do in that it is never over until it is over. If you truly believe that then a lot of great things can happen. I was proud of how they came back and a couple of our younger players played exceptionally well. Overall we took a lot of good things from the game but I am never going to be happy when we don't walk away with a win. We are playing some good teams who have won their conferences so we have to make all the plays to come out on top."

Down 7-0 in the top of the seventh inning, Sarah Hartley hit a single through the right side. Sara Cupp followed with a walk and Bindus got Oakland on the board with a RBI single. With two outs, Mead belted a shot to deep left center for a two-RBI double off the wall which just missed being a home run by a few inches to pull Oakland to 7-3.

The Golden Grizzlies also got hits from Cupp, Carah Pletscher and Rae Beadlescomb.

East Carolina was led by Ali Ramirez and Casey Alcorn who combined for three hits and five RBI.

Oakland continues play at the Pirate Classic with games against Delaware State and Longwood on Saturday, Feb. 7 at 9 a.m. and 11:30 a.m.

#WEARTheBEAR