ROCHESTER, Mich. — The Oakland University softball program split its home-opening doubleheader against the Northern Kentucky Norse on Friday, March 19, at the Oakland Softball Field. The Golden Grizzlies won the opener, 5-0, while NKU took game two, 5-2.
Game 1: Northern Kentucky 0, Oakland 5
Sophomore ace
Sydney Campbell was dealing in the Friday opener, hurling a shutout to lead the Golden Grizzlies over NKU (4-10, 3-3 HL), 5-0. Campbell (2-1) went the distance for Oakland (5-5, 4-2 HL), giving up seven hits, walking none, and striking out four.
Campbell fell into trouble in the opening frame by allowing three hits, resulting in a one-out, bases-loaded jam. She induced a strikeout and groundout to the next two batters to escape the inning unscathed. From the second inning on, she allowed a mere four Norse batters to reach base.
Junior
Lauren Griffith led the way offensively for the Golden Grizzlies, going 3-for-4 in the Horizon League contest with two doubles and an RBI. Senior
Jessie Munson furnished a noteworthy day at the plate as well, going 3-for-3 with two RBI. Junior
Madison Jones also chipped in, going 2-for-4 with a triple.
The Golden Grizzlies took the lead in the third inning, thanks to Griffith's RBI double with one out. OU then tacked on runs in the fourth and fifth innings, with its biggest output coming in the fifth when they scored three times. Two of those three runs scored on a two-run single off the bat of Munson.
Game 2: Northern Kentucky 5, Oakland 2
Oakland had opportunities to rally in game two but came up short, losing to the Norse by the score of 5-2.
Senior Lauryn DeBono (2-3) started and took the loss in the circle for OU, allowing four runs on four hits in 0.2 innings pitched. Senior
Chelsea Wiggins was a bright spot out of the bullpen, going 6.1 innings, surrendering one run on four hits, walking one, and striking out five.
At the plate, the Golden Grizzlies were once again led by Munson, who went 2-for-3 on the day with a triple and an RBI. Freshman
Maci Brown put together a noteworthy performance as well, going 2-for-3. Senior
Jamie Squires contributed with a hit and run scored.
Despite several standout performances, Oakland left seven runners on base and recorded two errors. OU turned bases-loaded opportunities in the second and fourth frames into one total run.
Two triples by NKU led to four runs in the opening frame of game two. The Norse lead grew to 5-0 in the third inning after a solo home run by Kendyl McKeough.
Trailing 5-0, the Golden Grizzlies first put runs on the board in the fourth inning. Squires came across to score the lone run of the inning for Oakland after collecting a single to get things started in the inning.
OU kept the deficit at 5-1 before closing the gap further in the seventh. Munson led off the frame with a triple and came around to score on a sac fly by
Cammie Brummitt. Jones kept the momentum going with a single, but NKU retired the next batter up to clinch a 5-2 victory.
The Golden Grizzlies will close the series tomorrow afternoon for a 1 p.m. doubleheader.
Game 1 Notes
» Oakland got three-hit games from both Griffith and Munson.
» Griffith recorded a double for the third time in her last four games.
» Brummitt extended her reached base streak to 11 games dating back to last season.
» The Golden Grizzlies out-hit the Norse at a 10-7 clip.
» Oakland hit 5-for-16 (.313) with runners in scoring position.
» Oakland pitchers limited Northern Kentucky to just 1-for-6 (.167) with runners in scoring position.
» Northern Kentucky was led offensively by freshman Sophie Margelot, who went 1-for-1 with a triple.
» Sophomore Lauryn Hicks led the Norse pitching staff, throwing four innings of two-run ball.
Game 2 Notes
» Munson led the Golden Grizzlies at the plate, going 2-for-3 with a triple and an RBI.
» Munson collected an RBI for the third-straight game.
» Wiggins allowed her first earned run of the season. She holds a 0.54 ERA through 13.0 innings pitched this season.
» Wiggins struck out a season-high five batters.
» Brummitt extended her RBI streak to seven games.
» Northern Kentucky was led offensively by junior Kendyl McKeough, who went 2-for-3 with a home run and an RBI.
» Senior Caitlin Karo led the Norse pitching staff, throwing seven innings of two-run ball.
#GrizzVision with head coach Lauren Karn
