Box Score

VALPARAISO, Ind. - Julia Morales went 2-for-3 with five RBI and belted a grand slam home run while Erin Kownacki tossed her second complete game shutout of the season as Oakland (13-15, 4-2 HL) blanked Valparaiso (8-20, 2-4, HL) 8-0 in six innings on Friday at the Valpo Softball Field. Kownacki (8-7) went 6.0 innings allowing only three hits with five strikeouts. TJ Bindus also went a perfect 4-for-4 with two runs.

Sarah Hartley hit 1-for-4 with a solo home run, Morgan Muron went 1-for-3 with a RBI double while Jackie Kisman was 2-for-4 with a run. Courtnee Johnson and Sara Cupp also each 1-for-2 with three combined runs.

"It was a great start to the three-game series here at Valpo. The team was focused and energized from the-minute we stepped on the bus to go to the field until the game ended," said head coach Connie Miner. "Erin dominated on the mound and shut their offense down. We also played great defense behind her and hit the ball very hard today due to overall great pitch selection at the plate. Julia was attacking the ball and her grand slam was smashed to the deepest part of the field. I thought her earlier hit was also out but it hit the top of the fence due to the wind holding it up. We hit a lot of balls deep today with Sarah adding a home run combined with a great short game too as TJ went 4-for-4. The slappers did a great job and if you have both working well, the offense is usually very successful. We will be focused and ready to play ball to take this series tomorrow."

Morales got Oakland on the board with a RBI single to score Bindus in the second inning.

Muron added a RBI double to plate Kisman in the fourth giving the Golden Grizzlies a 2-0 advantage.

In the next frame with the bases loaded, Morales put a charge into the ball hitting it over the center field wall moving Oakland ahead 6-0.

Hartley's solo shot and a bases loaded walk by Laura Pond in the sixth gave the Golden Grizzlies two more runs and a 8-0 advantage.

Oakland and Valparaiso will conclude the series with a doubleheader on Saturday, April 4 at 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. ET.

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