ROCHESTER, Mich. - The Golden Grizzlies head back on the road for one last series before their home opener as they head to Northern Kentucky for a highly-anticipated rematch of last year's Horizon League Championship game.

The Golden Grizzlies hit some bumps in the road last weekend, going 1-3 in the Indiana Invite, but with league play upon us, Oakland is as ready as ever to begin their push back to the top of the league rankings.

The two teams sit side-by-side in the rankings as of today. Although no league games have been played, Oakland sits one game in the loss column above NKU with a 7-7 record, while the Norse sit at 7-8.

The Golden Grizzlies have been great on the mound as a collective this season, ranking second in the HL in hits (94), third in ERA (.420), and first in runs allowed (53). At the plate, Oakland has had both hot and cold spurts. In wins, they average 6.57 runs per game, but in losses they average 0.5 runs per game. They're production at the plate is a key indicator for their success. Jen Krizka has continued her role in the three spot as a hitter, batting a league and team high .500, while Reese Ruhlman is batting .300 and had her second three-hit game of the season against Dayton (3/11).

Taylor Carraway, Maggie Murphy, and Kamryn Troyer also had flashes of hot spurts at the plate over this last weekend. With three home runs on the year, Oakland attacks as a unit from the plate, using contact and location hitting to manufacture most of their runs, which means they will need runs to come from all over the lineup.

In their last matchup with NKU, which was the 2023 Horizon League Championship game, Oakland fell 1-2 in a game that came down to the very last outs. Jenna Johnston batted 2-2 on the game, while Sydney Campbell threw a complete game, allowing just six hits.

All-time, Oakland still holds the advantage with a 16-9 record. Despite losses in the league championship, Oakland has won six of the last seven regular season matchups and haven't lost in Highland Heights, Ky. since 2019. The league rivals always have close contested games, with nine of the last ten games played have been decided by two runs or less, including two games that went into extra innings.

SCOUTING THE NORSE

NKU comes into the game fresh off a 3-2 win against Illinois State on Mar. 11. The Norse have won back-to-back games for the second time this season as they scored a 3-2 win against Michigan as well on Mar. 10.

The Norse rank second in the league in batting average (.268), first in ERA (.346), and first in slugging percentage (.348) as well. A well-rounded team, just like the Golden grizzlies, the Norse have the potential to be effective at the plate and in the field.

Senior Ella LeMonier is NKU's biggest presence at the plate, batting .392. Trinity Roberston also ranks in the top ten, batting .318.

See this league-opening rivalry matchup at Frank Ignatius Grein Softball Field this weekend, including a double-header at 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. on Saturday, Mar. 16 and a series finale on Sunday, Mar. 17 at 12 p.m.

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