NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The Oakland University softball program dropped a 10-1 decision to the Loyola Ramblers, but rallied back in the seventh inning against tournament host Lipscomb to earn a 4-2 victory on the final day of the Purple/Gold Challenge.
Game 1: Loyola 10, Oakland 1 (5 innings)
Sophomore Jen Krizka, who went 1-for-2 with an RBI, led the offensive effort for OU in its loss to Loyola (2-7). Senior Lauryn Debono (0- 2) made her second start of the weekend and received the decision by allowing six runs — four earned — in 3.0 innings of work.
The Golden Grizzlies got on the board immediately, as Krizka delivered with an RBI single to score Madison Jones from second base. OU had the bases juiced later in the inning, but could not push across any additional runs.
Oakland had opportunities offensively throughout the contest, but hit 2-for-10 with runners on base and stranded a total of six baserunners.
The score remained 1-0 in favor of the Golden Grizzlies until the bottom of the third when the Ramblers exploded for six runs on six hits. Loyola capitalized on three OU errors in the following frame to build its lead to 10-1.
Oakland was unable to inch back, resulting in its third-straight loss of the tournament.
Game 2: Lipscomb 2, Oakland 4
The Golden Grizzlies rallied from down 2-0 in the sixth inning to win in exciting fashion, tallying four runs in the seventh to earn a 4-2 victory over the Lipscomb (7-7) in their final game of the tournament.
Sophomore Sydney Campbell (1-1) earned a complete-game win in the circle for Oakland (1-3). The right-hander went seven innings, giving up two earned runs on six hits, allowing one walk, and striking out three. She allowed no runs on a mere two hits from the third inning on.
Junior first baseman Cammie Brummitt reached base a team-high three times — two walks and one hit by pitch — and recorded the team's lone RBI to lead an OU offense that was held hitless into the final frame.
Trailing 2-0 with one out in the top of the seventh inning, Oakland rallied back with four runs, as five-straight batters reached base on three walks, one HBP, and one single. Savvy base running combined with two errors by the Lipscomb defense led to three of the four runs on what was expected to be a routine groundout to the shortstop.
Campbell allowed one hit but put the game to rest in the seventh inning to clinch OU's first win of the 2021 campaign.
The Golden Grizzlies will open Horizon League play next week at IUPUI for doubleheaders on Friday (March 12) and Saturday (March 13).
Other Notes
» Emily Karas and Campbell made appearances in relief against Loyola.
» Maci Brown reached base twice on a hit and walk against Loyola.
» Jessie Munson recorded her first hit of the season against Loyola.
» The Golden Grizzlies drew seven walks from Lipscomb pitching.
» Lauren Griffith recorded the lone hit for Oakland against Lipscomb.
» Jamie Squires and Brummitt drew two walks against Lipscomb.
» Jones batted a team-best .385 with two extra-base hits, one home run, and three RBI on the weekend.
» Griffith (.308) and Brummitt (.300) hit above .300 on the weekend.
» Brummitt reached base a team-high eight times on the weekend.
#GrizzVision with head coach Lauren Karn.
