HIGHLAND HEIGHTS, Ky. - Mike McGee and Blake Griffith each connected on a three-run homer as Oakland dropped a heartbreaking 11-10 decision in the series opener at Northern Kentucky on Saturday at Bill Akers Baseball Complex.

Griffith, Mario Camilletti, Matt DiLeo, Cherokee LeBeau and Ronnie Krsolovic each accounted for two of Oakland's (10-28, 8-11 HL) 12 total hits.

With the Golden Grizzlies leading 10-7 in the top of the ninth inning with two outs, NKU (11-34, 9-13 HL) was able to load the based with a walk and a pair of singles. Andrew Bacon then hit a deep fly ball off the left center field wall and was able to round the bases and score on a rare inside the park grand slam home run giving the Norse a 11-10 lead they would not relinquish.

After Drew Demumbrum gave Oakland a 1-0 lead with a RBI groundout in the first, NKU got on the board in the second with a pair of unearned runs due to a bases loaded catcher's interference followed by a RBI single for a 2-1 lead.

McGee belted his first home run of the season over the left field wall to regain the lead for Oakland in the bottom of the second followed by Krsolovic an RBI groundout in the third for a 6-2 advantage. Griffith also added a RBI groundout in the fourth moving Oakland ahead 7-2 in the fourth.

NKU rallied with four runs in the fifth closing gap to 7-6 and tied the game at 7-7 off a sacrifice fly in the top of the eighth. Griffith's clutch three-run shot down the right field line in the bottom of the frame gave Oakland a 10-7 lead before Bacon's eventual game-winning home run. 

Both teams will close out the series with a doubleheader on Sunday, May 5 beginning at noon.

#WEARtheBEAR