ROCHESTER, Mich. — Redshirt junior
Madison Jones broke a school record in career home runs, as the Oakland University softball program split its doubleheader against UIC on Saturday, April 24, at the Oakland Softball Field. The Golden Grizzlies earned a 1-0 shutout victory in game one to clinch the series but fell in the finale by a final score of 11-8.
Game 1: UIC 0, Oakland 1
Sophomore
Sydney Campbell tossed a two-hit shutout to lead the Golden Grizzlies to a series-clinching win over the Flames, 1-0.
Campbell (12-4) went the distance for Oakland (19-13, 18-10 HL), giving up just two hits, walking none, and striking out three. The LaGrange, Ohio native retired the UIC (23-17, 20-10 HL) lineup in order in five of the seven frames.
Offensively, the Golden Grizzlies were paced by Jones, who went 2-for-3 with a home run and an RBI. Senior
Jamie Squires compiled a standout day at the plate as well, going 2-for-3 with a double.
The Golden Grizzlies took the lead for good in the first, scoring for the first and only time in the inning. Jones put OU on the board with a one-out solo home run off of freshman Marley Hanlon. The hit moved Jones into a tie for first place with Squires and Sarah Hartley ('16 alum) for career homers.
One run was enough for Campbell and the Golden Grizzly defense, as the Flames reached base a mere two times for the remainder of the Horizon League contest.
Game 2: UIC 11, Oakland 8
A grand slam by Jones was not enough, as Oakland fell to UIC 11-8 in the series finale.
Five pitchers made an appearance for the Golden Grizzlies. Senior
Chelsea Wiggins (3-5) came in relief in the top of the fourth inning and took the loss. Freshman
Gracey Henckel and Campbell were bright spots in the circle, as both limited the Flames to one run in two-plus innings of work.
Jones went 2-for-4 with a grand slam, two runs scored, and two stolen bases for OU. With a home run in the bottom of the fourth inning, she surpassed Squires and Sarah Hartley ('16 alum) to become the school record holder in career home runs with 21.
Redshirt junior
Cammie Brummitt furnished a standout performance at the dish as well, going 2-for-3 with a walk and two RBI. Junior
Lauren Griffith also chipped in for Oakland, putting together three hits in four trips to the plate while adding an RBI. Freshman
Maci Brown batted 2-for-3 with a double and RBI.
The Golden Grizzlies struck first with a run on the board in the opening frame thanks to an RBI single from Griffith, scoring Jones from second base.
After UIC rallied to tie the ballgame at one, OU came back to retake the lead in the third inning. Oakland scored once on an RBI single off the bat of Brummitt, which brought the score to 2-1 in favor of the Golden Grizzlies.
Oakland's lead had disappeared once the fourth inning came around and turned into a 3-2 UIC advantage. However, the Golden Grizzlies exploded for five runs in the bottom of the fourth inning, punctuated by a grand slam off the bat of Jones.
The Flames responded in a big way, combining for eight runs in the next two frames. Trailing 10-7, Brummitt singled in a run to bring to score to 10-8 in favor of UIC. The Golden Grizzlies were unable to get any closer, as UIC added one run to their tally on the way to an 11-8 final.
Oakland will return to action on May 4 for a doubleheader at Purdue Fort Wayne.
Game 1 Notes
» Campbell tossed a two-hit shutout for the Golden Grizzlies.
» Campbell pitched her 13th complete game and second shutout of the season.
» Jones moved into a tie for first place in career home runs at Oakland with 20.
» Jones extended her hitting streak to 10 games.
» Oakland's highest scoring inning was the first, when it pushed one run across.
» Oakland took a 1-0 lead in the bottom half of the first and didn't surrender that lead for the remainder of the game.
» The Golden Grizzlies out-hit the Flames at an 8-2 clip.
» Campbell faced 23 UIC hitters in the game, allowing nine ground balls and nine fly balls while striking out three.
» UIC was led offensively by freshman Dee Dee Caskey, who went 1-for-2.
» Hanlon led the Flames pitching staff, throwing six innings of one-run ball.
Game 2 Notes
» Jones broke a school record in career home runs with 21.
» Jones extended her hitting streak to 11 games.
» Jones stole a team-best two bases.
» Griffith tallied three hits for the fourth time this season.
» Brummitt compiled her fourth multi-hit performance in the last five games.
» Four Oakland hitters had multiple base knocks in the ballgame.
» Oakland went 6-for-11 (.545) with runners in scoring position.
» Oakland pitchers faced 42 UIC hitters in the game, allowing 10 ground balls and six fly balls while striking out five.
» The Golden Grizzlies drew four walks from UIC pitching.
» UIC was led offensively by senior Kayla Wedl, who went 2-for-4 with two triples and two RBIs.
» Freshman Marley Hanlon led the Flames pitching staff, throwing 3.2 innings of one-run ball.
#GrizzVision with Lauren Karn and Madison Jones
