ROCHESTER, Mich. – Oakland University Softball split its Thursday #HLSB doubleheader with visiting Cleveland State University at the Oakland Softball Field by scores of 4-1 and 3-2 with a win and a loss on the season record. 

GAME ONE // OAKLAND 4, CLEVELAND STATE 1

The Golden Grizzlies wasted no time in game one after a three-up-and-down shutout of the batters from Cleveland State brought up Oakland. Madi Herrington singled to left field, advancing all the way around the bases across home off Allisa DiPrima's two-RBI double that brought in Reese Ruhlman as well.

Leah Bieniewicz's RBI single to left center allowed the aforementioned DiPrima to score as the Golden Grizzlies were up 3-0 after the first inning.

The Vikings brought a run on the board in the top of the second before the fourth, and final, run of the game for Oakland came from Jen Krizka's solo-shot home run over the left field wall for her sixth of the year.

Back, back, back and GONE.

Jen smacks her sixth of the season over the left field wall. pic.twitter.com/nf9XtfA0Bc

— Oakland Softball (@OaklandSoftball) April 20, 2023

Oakland's defense made quick work of the visiting Vikings through the latter stages of the game, securing Sydney Campbell's 11th win of the season.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS

• DiPrima batted in two RBI to lead the squad, Krizka and Bieniewicz each tallied one
• Campbell threw five strikeouts to the opposition's two
• Ruhlman was credited with three stolen bases at the end of seven innings

GAME TWO // CLEVELAND STATE 4, OAKLAND 3

Both teams saw no action to start the second game as the sun began to shine upon the Oakland Softball Field where its home Golden Grizzlies saw Jenna Johnston knock a single into right field, brought around off Maci Brown's RBI single to left center for the 1-0 edge. 

Cleveland State responded by scoring all four of their runs in the fourth inning, notably via a three-RBI homer over the wall in left center field bringing in unearned runs off a previous OU error.

Down 4-1 heading into the bottom of the fourth, Johnston led off with a single through the left side while Mia Konyvka's sacrifice bunt brought the freshman over to second base. Fellow newcomer Kamryn Troyer's first career triple to left center brought her classmate home to make the game 4-2.

Brown singled up the middle, scoring Troyer and forcing a crucial Vikings pitching change that halted the scoring opportunities for Oakland the rest of the way. 

With runners in scoring position in the bottom of the seventh with two outs, a fly-out to left field ended the comeback hopes.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS

• Johnston led the team going 2-3 at the plate with a walk
• Brown saw two RBIs added to her stat sheet with Troyer securing one of her own
• DiPrima was left on base five times after a 1-4 appearance 
• Konyvka received the loss after three innings of play, Maraina Smith locked down no earned runs and a strikeout

Oakland and Cleveland State are set to finish the three-game series on Friday, April 21 at 3:00 pm at the OU Softball Field.