CONWAY, S.C. - The Golden Grizzlies opened the Chanticleer Classic with a showdown of their own against the host team Coastal Carolina University.

The Chanticleers struck first, scoring in the bottom of the first after a runner advanced from third to home as Oakland tried to catch a CCU runner at second base.

Down 1-0 in the top of the second, the Golden Grizzlies threatened to even the score as back-to-back singles from Kamryn Troyer and Madi Herrington, after a perfectly placed bunt, put runners on first and second with one out for Oakland.

The very next at-bat Leah Bieniewicz took a HBP to load the bases, putting Oakland in a prime position to strike. The final two batters of the inning struck out swinging, leaving three runners on base and heading into the third inning down 0-1.

CCU added another run to their margin, scoring on a sacrifice bunt in the bottom of the second, going up 0-2 on the Golden Grizzlies.

After a fast start from the Chanticleers, Alyssa Balcom settled in and pitched with great pace and rhythm, allowing zero hits over the next three innings.

The Golden Grizzlies struck gold in the top of the fifth inning. Allisa DiPrima singled on a bunt, but the tap down the third base line turned into much more as CCU aired the throw to first base, allowing DiPrima to hustle around the bases and score on the momentous play, pulling Oakland closer, trailing only 1-2 with a pair of batting appearances left.

Oakland stepped back up to the plate in the top of the sixth, looking to make a big effort to even the score. Ruhlman reached first on a throwing error to open the inning. Two batters later with one out, Maggie Murphy was hit by a pitch, putting runners on first and second. Troyer stepped up to the plate and laid down a sacrifice bunt, advancing the runners forward a base. Madi Herrington took a two-out walk to load the bases for Oakland. With one out left and a prime chance to score, they grounded out to end the inning, still trailing 1-2.

The Golden Grizzlies couldn't muster up any momentum in the final inning, falling to the Chanticleers 1-2.

Coastal Carolina ended the game with four errors, but their tandem of pitchers held the Golden Grizzlies to four hits on the day.

Oakland falls to 4-3 on the season. In all three of their losses they have failed to manufacture a run, while their opponents haven't scored more than two runs in any of their losses.

Balcom had her second good outing of the year, allowing only two runs and five hits, while Mary Newton pitched the final inning of the game where she kept the Chanticleers scoreless.

The Golden Grizzlies look to reignite their bats in an early morning game against Yale tomorrow at 9 a.m.

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