Golden Grizzlies Head to Chapel Hill to Take on Scorching Tar Heels

ROCHESTER, Mich. - The Golden Grizzlies travel up the east coast as they head to Chapel Hill, N.C. to take on the Tar Heels in a stand alone game on Wednesday.

Oakland wrapped up their opening series of the season at the Cougar Classic with a 6-4 win over Charleston on Monday. The Golden Grizzlies went 4-1 to start the spring, their best start through five games since the 2017 season where they also started 4-1.

The bats have been rolling for Oakland, with four players hitting over .270 after the team's first five games. Maci Brown, Reese Ruhlman, and Brooklyn Plitz all racked up five hits over the weekend. Kamryn Troyer also had a high-scoring weekend, batting in five runs with three doubles. Maggie Murphy and Ruhlman earned four RBIs each as well, showing that Oakland's offensive attack is as well rounded as it could be.

Redshirt Senior Jen Krizka might've had the flashiest weekend among Oakland hitters. Along with her .563 BA, she smacked a team-high nine hits, earning 7 RBIs in five games. Krizka moved into second place on the all-time RBIs list at Oakland, with 101 career RBIs. She is just three RBIs away from breaking the program career RBI record, held by Jaimie Squires (104).

Oakland also had very solid performances in the circle. Reigning #HLSB Pitcher of the Year Sydney Campbell started the weekend with a 10 strikeout heater against Charleston. In her two outings, she allowed only six hits and two runs. Freshman Alyssa Balcom also shined in her first career start, allowing just two runs in seven innings against Charleston (2/25), getting her first career win.

With Oakland's balanced attack, they're already looking like a potential powerhouse this early in the season.

SCOUTING THE TAR HEELS

North Carolina has been on fire to start the year, holding an 11-2 record and having won seven out of their last eight games.

The Tar Heels have dominated in the early going on offense, having nine players hitting at least .400 from the plate in their first 13 games, led by junior Alex Coleman who has 24 hits in 39 at bats. Redshirt Sophomore Isabela Emerling has also been feasting at the dish, notching four home runs and 17 RBIs already.

The Golden Grizzlies visit the Tar Heels on Wednesday, Feb. 28 at 4 p.m.

FOLLOW OAKLAND

Stay up to date on everything Oakland Softball via social media platforms Instagram and Twitter @OaklandSoftball.

Print Friendly Version

Players Mentioned

#5 Maci Brown: SS/OF; 5' 7"; Junior; L/L

#42 Sydney Campbell: RHP; 5' 8"; Redshirt Junior; R/R

#11 Jen Krizka: C/1B; 5' 8"; Redshirt Junior; R/R

#14 Reese Ruhlman: SS/UTL; 5' 8"; Senior; R/R

#24 Kamryn Troyer: OF; 5' 6"; Freshman; R/R

#20 Alyssa Balcom: P/1B; 6' 1"; Freshman; R/R

#15 Brooklyn Plitz: IF/OF; 5' 3"; Freshman; L/L

#10 Maggie Murphy: IF; 5' 9"; Junior; R/R

Players Mentioned

#5 Maci Brown
: 5' 7"; Junior; L/L
: SS/OF

#42 Sydney Campbell
: 5' 8"; Redshirt Junior; R/R
: RHP

#11 Jen Krizka
: 5' 8"; Redshirt Junior; R/R
: C/1B

#14 Reese Ruhlman
: 5' 8"; Senior; R/R
: SS/UTL

#24 Kamryn Troyer
: 5' 6"; Freshman; R/R
: OF

#20 Alyssa Balcom
: 6' 1"; Freshman; R/R
: P/1B

#15 Brooklyn Plitz
: 5' 3"; Freshman; L/L
: IF/OF

#10 Maggie Murphy
: 5' 9"; Junior; R/R
: IF