HIGHLAND HEIGHTS, Ky. - The Golden Grizzlies took the field for the final game of their league play opening series against NKU.

After splitting the first two games with one win each, the winner of Sunday's game would gain an early leg up in the league standings.

Just like in the previous two games, Oakland scratched the scoreboard first in the top of the first inning as Jen Krizka singled to left field for her fourth hit of the series, scoring Reese Ruhlman to give the Golden Grizzlies a 1-0 lead.

While the offense dented NKU first, the pitching and fielding of Oakland carried them in this one. Sydney Campbell was locked in during her second start of the series, using the next five innings retiring batter after batter, allowing just two hits over the next five innings.

While Campbell needed very little run support, the Golden Grizzlies added to their lead in the sixth inning as Maggie Murphy slammed a double to right center field, driving in another run as Oakland took a 2-0 lead. Madi Herrington tallied an RBI in the seventh inning as well, using a sacrifice fly ball to score a runner from third and blow the lead up to 3-0.

Down to their last three outs, the Norse once again made things interesting in the last half-inning. Tatum Biddle started the rally with a single, followed by a Megan Lenhart double and a hit-by-pitch to Jena Rhoads as NKU had the bases loaded with one out and star hitter Ella LeMonier up to bat.

With nerves of steel, Campbell didn't waver for a moment, striking out LeMonier and forcing a fly out to left field to seal Oakland's 3-0 victory.

Campbell tossed her second complete game of the series, going 2-0. She allowed just five hits en route to her second shutout of the season, as her ERA now dips to 2.01.

"We came out with a lot of fire this weekend and had a lot of motivation going into it, and this is going to fuel us for the rest of this season," said Campbell after the series conclusion. "Jen (Krizka) and I were just trying to keep the batters off balance, on their toes and not be able to expect the next pitch. Our defense really locked in and made plays when they needed to while the offense really capitalized when they had runners in scoring position".

Murphy, Ruhlman, and Madi Herrington all went 1-3 from the plate in the series finale. Krizka and Maci Brown added hits, each going 1-2.

Krizka finished the series with a hit in each game, going a combined 4-6 with four RBIs, and five walks. Ruhlman also recorded a hit in each of the three games, going a combined 3-9 while also scoring a run in each game.
Players like Allisa DiPrima, Maggie Murphy, Madi Herrington, and Maci Brown all added well-timed at-bats for the Golden Grizzlies.



Oakland improves to 9-8 on the season and 2-1 in league play. They take a quick break from Horizon League opponents as they host their home opener against Western Michigan on Tuesday, Mar. 19 and a trip to Ann Arbor to take on Michigan on Wednesday, Mar. 20.

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