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Softball Jordan Nelson

Golden Grizzlies Return to League Play as they Take on the Vikings

ROCHESTER, Mich. - Oakland returns to league play as they head to Ohio to take on Cleveland State for a weekend series.

The Golden Grizzlies are just two days removed from one of their most well-rounded performances of the season in a 3-2 win over Central Michigan. In the midweek matchup Oakland earned seven hits, their most in their last four games. Oakland got big time hits from Maci Brown and Taylor Carraway in a late game surge to secure their victory. Jen Krizka also connected for a pair of hits. The senior slugger has at least one hit in five of the last six games while batting .482, good for eighth best in the nation.

The play from inside the circle has continued to be phenomenal for Oakland this season as well. Sydney Campbell earned her sixth win of the season, tying a career-high 11 strikeouts against CMU. In 20 games this season, the Golden Grizzlies have only allowed over four runs four times, holding a 3.55 ERA, which is third best in the Horizon League.

The win was a self-described huge momentum builder for Oakland, and they measure much of their success on the ability to pull out wins in close games, which they have been able to do thus far, winning four games that have been decided by two or less runs this season.

Their next opponent is a familiar one, as the upcoming matchup between the Golden Grizzlies and the Vikings will mark their 30th meeting all time. Oakland holds the upper hand with a 20-9 record, including wins in nine of the last 12 matchups. In their most recent meeting, which came in April of 2023, Oakland shutout Cleveland State 8-0 in a five inning win. Sydney Cambell earned the win while seven different Golden Grizzlies combined for 10 hits, including two-hit days for Brown, Troyer, and Ruhlman.

Oakland's small ball hitting style might pay off big in the upcoming series as the Vikings have struggled on defense this season. Cleveland State has the second most errors in the league (41) and the second lowest fielding percentage (.926).

Oakland currently sits in third place in the Horizon League standings, having only played one series in league play, going 2-1. Multiple wins in the upcoming series would surely launch them into second place, behind the currently undefeated in league games Youngstown State Penguins.

SCOUTING THE VIKINGS

Cleveland State enters the game one spot below Oakland in the league rankings, also holding a 2-1 record in the conference, but just a 6-13 record overall. The Vikings are coming off a big 1-9 loss to Akron where they committed four errors and only manufactured five hits.

Cleveland State holds their hat at the plate with the fourth best batting average in the league (.262), largely thanks to sophomore Emma Gilkerson who is hitting .348, fourth best in the league.

In the circle, the Vikings are still forming an identity. They hold the third highest ERA (5.62) and have allowed four or more runs in 14 games. Despite the early struggles, the Vikings have ace Melissa Holzopfel who holds the fourth best ERA among all Horizon League pitchers (2.53).

Oakland takes the field for a series-starting double header at 1 p.m. Friday, Mar. 29.

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Players Mentioned

Maci Brown

#5 Maci Brown

SS/OF
5' 7"
Junior
L/L
Sydney Campbell

#42 Sydney Campbell

RHP
5' 8"
Redshirt Junior
R/R
Jen Krizka

#11 Jen Krizka

C/1B
5' 8"
Redshirt Junior
R/R
Taylor Carraway

#6 Taylor Carraway

3B/C
5' 6"
Freshman
R/R

Players Mentioned

Maci Brown

#5 Maci Brown

5' 7"
Junior
L/L
SS/OF
Sydney Campbell

#42 Sydney Campbell

5' 8"
Redshirt Junior
R/R
RHP
Jen Krizka

#11 Jen Krizka

5' 8"
Redshirt Junior
R/R
C/1B
Taylor Carraway

#6 Taylor Carraway

5' 6"
Freshman
R/R
3B/C