MOON TOWNSHIP, Pa. — The Oakland University softball program dropped a pair of low-scoring contests, 3-2, 4-0, to the Robert Morris Colonials on Saturday afternoon at the North Athletic Complex.
Game 1: Oakland 2, Robert Morris 3
The Golden Grizzlies (8-8, 7-5 HL) brought a 2-0 advantage into the bottom of the fifth inning, but RMU (13-9, 8-6 HL) scored three unanswered runs to take the Saturday opener.
Sophomore
Sydney Campbell (6-2) started in the circle for Oakland and took the loss in 6.1 innings of work. The right-hander gave up three runs — two earned — on seven hits, allowing just one walk and striking out four.
In the batter's box, the Golden Grizzlies were paced by senior
Jamie Squires, who went 1-for-3 on the day with a home run and an RBI. Junior
Lauren Griffith furnished a noteworthy day at the plate as well, going 2-for-3 with two singles. Freshman
Maci Brown contributed with a bunt single and run scored.
Squires put Oakland on the board in the second inning with a leadoff home run off RMU starting pitcher Madison Riggle. It marked the second-straight day Squires had homered.
The Colonials failed to push any runs across before the Golden Grizzlies built on their lead in the fifth inning. Brown led off the frame with a bunt single and came around to score on a passed ball, which brought the score to 2-0 in favor of OU.
However, RMU answered back with two runs in the bottom of the fifth inning with two runs on four hits. With the score tied at 2-all, the Colonials opened the bottom of the seventh inning with two singles in a row and later scored the game-winning run off an error by the Golden Grizzlies, resulting in a 3-2 final.
Game 2: Oakland 0, Robert Morris 4
Oakland was not able to score a run against Robert Morris pitcher junior Dana Vatakis in the series finale despite recording six hits, resulting in a 4-0 shutout loss.
Senior
Chelsea Wiggins (0-2) got the ball to start for OU and took the loss. She kept the Colonials scoreless through three innings of work but was tagged for three runs in the bottom of the fourth. Senior
Lauryn Debono was a bright spot out of the pen for the Golden Grizzlies by allowing no runs in 1.2 innings of work. Campbell threw one scoreless inning in relief as well.
Offensively, the Golden Grizzlies were led by senior
Jessie Munson, who went 2-for-3 on the day. Senior
Rachel Zerona also impressed, going 2-for-2 with a pair of singles and a sacrifice bunt.
Oakland had its fair share of opportunities in the shutout but went 0-for-8 with runners in scoring position. The Golden Grizzlies had multiple runners on base with less than two outs in the fourth and fifth frame.
OU made one final push in the top of the seventh, as Zerona and pinch hitter
Hannah Chadwell singled with two outs. However, the Colonials retired the next batter to clinch a 4-0 victory and a series win.
The Golden Grizzlies will return to action next Friday (April 2), when they open a 10-game homestand against the Green Bay Phoenix.
Game 1 Notes
» Oakland's lone error came on the last play of the game.
» Oakland pitchers faced 26 Robert Morris hitters in the game, allowing seven ground balls and six fly balls while striking out four.
» Squires led the Golden Grizzlies at the plate, going 1-for-3 with a home run and an RBI.
» Griffith extended her hitting streak to five games. » Robert Morris was led offensively by freshman Charlotte Grover, who went 2-for-3 with a double and an RBI.
» Riggle led the Colonials pitching staff, throwing seven innings of two-run ball.
Game 2 Notes
» Oakland was held scoreless for the first time this season.
» Oakland had no extra-base hits for the second time this season.
» Munson led the Golden Grizzlies at the plate, going 2-for-3.
» Robert Morris was led offensively by junior Kristyna Mala, who went 2-for-3 with a home run and two RBIs.
» Vatakis led the Colonials pitching staff, throwing seven shutout innings.
