EDWARDSVILLE, Ill. - Luke Malmanger racked up four hits, but the Oakland Golden Grizzlies fell to the SIUE Cougars 13-12 in the final game of the series.
Freshman Brandon Nigh (0-1) took the loss on the mound for Oakland (3-10).
In addition to his four hits, Malmanger had a triple and two RBIs to lead the Golden Grizzlies. Thomas Green put together a standout day at the plate as well, going 2-for-4 with a home run, a walk and three RBIs. Seth Tucker also helped out for Oakland, putting together two hits in five trips to the plate while adding two RBIs.
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Golden Grizzlies got on the scoreboard first, starting in the second inning. Oakland got an RBI single from Malmanger, scoring Ian Cleary from second base.
The Golden Grizzlies then held the Cougars scoreless before getting back on the board the very next inning. Oakland put up a three spot, highlighted by a run-scoring double off the bat of Brad Goulet, which brought the Golden Grizzlies lead to 4-0.
SIUE clawed back to even the ballgame at four before Oakland reclaimed a 5-4 advantage in the sixth inning. The Golden Grizzlies scored once on an RBI single off the bat of Green.
Oakland surrendered the lead they built in the sixth, but got back on the scoreboard in the seventh trailing 7-5. The Golden Grizzlies scored five runs in the inning, highlighted by a two-run single off the bat of Tucker, bringing the score to 10-7 in favor of Oakland.
SIUE then mounted a comeback, taking a 13-10 lead heading into the ninth, when the Golden Grizzlies cut that deficit to 13-12. Oakland scored twice on Green's two-run homer. The ballgame ended with that ninth inning rally falling short.
GAME NOTES
» Malmanger put together a four-hit day for the Golden Grizzlies.
» Every Golden Grizzlies starter reached base safely in the loss.
» Oakland's highest scoring inning was the seventh, when it pushed five runs across.
» Four Oakland hitters had multiple base knocks in the ballgame.
» The Golden Grizzlies out-hit the Cougars at a 13-10 clip.
» Tucker stole three bases in Monday's game.
» The Golden Grizzlies stole five bases as a team.
» Oakland went 6-for-15 (.400) with runners in scoring position.
» Oakland pitchers faced 45 SIU-Edwardsville hitters in the game, allowing five ground balls and 11 fly balls while striking out eight.
» The Golden Grizzlies drew five walks from SIU-Edwardsville pitching.
» Green led the Golden Grizzlies at the plate, going 2-for-4 with a home run and three RBIs.
» SIU-Edwardsville was led offensively by sophomore Brennan Orf, who went 2-for-3 with two home runs and four RBIs.
» Junior Spencer Smith led the Cougars pitching staff, throwing two innings of one-run ball.
