Golden Grizzlies Open Play at Home with a Cross-State Game Against the Broncos

ROCHESTER, Mich. - The Golden Grizzlies return to the field after a long layoff as they prepare for their home opener against the Western Michigan Broncos.

Oakland hasn't played a game in seven days, last traveling to Ann Arbor on Mar. 19 in a chilly game against the University of Michigan where the Golden Grizzlies fell 2-0.

Last season Oakland had a steady hand at home, going 7-4 in games played at the Oakland Softball Field. The team looks to continue a streak of three straight seasons with over seven home wins.

The Golden Grizzlies have found their strength in the circle this season, holding the third lowest ERA in the Horizon League (3.73). Both of the top rotation pitchers in Sydney Campbell and Alyssa Balcom are in the top four of ERA in the league, with Campbell (2.04) second and Balcom (2.63) fourth. Campbell also ranks third in opposing batting average (.220), fifth in innings pitched (61.2), fifth in strikeouts (36), and third in wins (5). Balcom continues her fiery start to her freshman season as she also ranks fourth in opposing batting average (.228), and first in hits allowed (18) and runs allowed (11).

The dynamic duo in the circle has been a huge success story for Oakland as the team has held opponents to three or less runs in ten games this season. They look to do the same against the Broncos who were held to just two runs in the last meeting between the two teams, which was a 7-2 Oakland win back in April of 2019.

Oakland holds a 7-14 all-time record against the cross-state foes, but despite the record Oakland is an even 3-3 at home in the series, trending in their favor for the upcoming game.

Even with success in the circle, Oakland has seen a recent uptick in individual hitting performances outside of their two lead hitters in Jen Krizka and Reese Ruhlman. Senior shortstop Maci Brown has knocked a hit in four of the last six games and Kamryn Troyer has tallied four hits in the last four games, adding more variety to the Oakland batting lineup.

SCOUTING THE BRONCOS

WMU comes into the game just under .500 with a 11-14 record. While in their most recent game they beat the University of Buffalo 1-0 in game number two of a double-header on Mar. 24, they have been in a slump as of late. After a 3-1 start to the season, they have lost eight of their last nine games and hold a 3-6 record in true road games.

The Broncos do have five players hitting over .500, led by junior Riley Dittmar's team-high .415 average. The Sterling, Ill. native also leads the team in hits (27), runs (17), doubles (8), and RBIs (19).

This may be a chance for Oakland to find a rhythm at the plate as WMU has allowed five or more runs on 10 separate occasions this season, holding a team ERA of 4.13.
Oakland opens their home slate of games on Tuesday, Mar. 26 at 4 p.m.

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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

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