HIGHLAND HEIGHTS, Ky. - The Golden Grizzlies dropped its final game of the weekend in extra innings to the Northern Kentucky Norse, 7-6, this afternoon at the Bill Aker Baseball Complex.
 
The Golden Grizzlies (6-13, 0-3 HL) picked up hits from seven separate batters as Ian Cleary and Brandon Nigh tacked on two apiece. Six separate batters batted in a run, as Nigh led the team in extra base hits with a pair of doubles. Starting pitcher Brandon Decker struck out seven batters and gave up just a trio of runs in 6.0 innings pitched.
 
The Norse (11-8, 3-0 HL) saw eight players record at least a hit as Liam Mcadden-Ackman led the game with his four hits and also led the game with three RBI. Ben Gerl, the team's starting pitcher, matched Decker with his seven strikeouts as well.
 
The Golden Grizzlies got out to a quick lead as it went ahead in the first, 1-0, after Trent Rice made his way to third off a single and a throwing error. Lucas Day drove him home for the sole run as he smacked a single to go ahead. The Golden Grizzlies forced three quick outs in the first, but the Norse answered in the second with a pair off a single and a steal to put Oakland behind, 2-1.
 
It wasn't until the Golden Grizzlies were up in the fourth where it made some way as Brandon Nigh doubled towards center field, followed by a bases loaded walk to put Oakland ahead, 3-2. Brandon Heidal extended the Golden Grizzlies lead to two with a solo deep shot in the fifth, but the Norse had an answer with one of its own during its next at-bats.
 
Both teams were locked until the seventh as Ian Cleary retook the two-run lead for the Golden Grizzlies. Aidan Orr hit a leadoff double towards left center and used his speed during the next at-bat to run home off Cleary single. All the Golden Grizzlies needed were three more outs to go out on top, 5-3, but a double with players on first and third knotted the game up at five as the Norse had the game-winning run on the base pads.
 
The following batter was intentionally walked and worked out for Oakland as it turned a double play to force extras. Neither team jumped ahead in the 10th as Orr, Cleary and Day found themselves on base with two outs. Jack Lux stayed patient at the plate and forced a bases loaded walk for the lead heading into the bottom of the inning. The Norse answered once again, as the game extended into the 12th inning.
 
The Golden Grizzlies were held hitless in its at-bat, as the Norse rallied and took the game off a single to take the game, 7-6.
 
The Norse outhit the Golden Grizzlies, 13-9 as each team committed at least an error with Oakland committing two. Fourteen runs from the Golden Grizzlies side were left stranded, while 11 were left on the pads for the Norse. Oakland tacked on the only home run of the afternoon and grabbed one more double than the Norse with its four. Each team finished the day with 12 strikeouts as Oakland stole one base.
 
The Golden Grizzlies return to Michigan as it heads to Mount Pleasant Wednesday (March 20) as it's set for a weekday game against Central Michigan. First pitch against the Chippewas is set for 3:00 p.m. ET.