ROCHESTER, Mich. - The Golden Grizzlies powered past the Youngstown State Penguins in a dramatic game one of their weekend series.

YSU struck first in the top of the first inning as Elyssa Imler stepped to the plate with runners on second and third. She grounded into a fielder's choice as the Golden Golden Grizzlies recorded the out at third base, but not before a run scored, putting the Penguins on top 1-0 early.

Oakland got its bats going in the bottom of the second with back-to-back hits to start the inning, with Kamryn Troyer knocking a leadoff double, followed by a perfectly placed bunt by Jenna Johnston that put runners on the corners to start the inning. Johnston stole second base, setting up Allisa DiPrima, who reached first on a YSU error in center field, bringing home Troyer to tie the game at one apiece. Reese Ruhlman added another one, grounding into another fielder's choice, scoring Johnston and putting Oakland in the lead with a score of 2-1.

The back-and-forth affair continued the very next half inning as Jillian Jaske hit a blooper to center field, scoring YSU's second run of the game, once again forcing a tie. The Penguins kept their scoring up in the top of the fourth, adding another run to the tally with some small ball hitting. Turning a one-out single into a run as Sara Fessler hit a two-out RBI single to put the Penguins ahead 3-2.

In the bottom of the fourth, the Golden Grizzlies attempted to knot the game back up as MAggie Murphy and Taylor Carraway drew back-to-back one out walks. With Leah Bieniewicz in to pinch run for Murphy, Madi Herrington came through with a big single, loading the bases. Troyer stepped to the plate and delivered a good at-bat, battling throughout. The sophomore fouled off pitch after pitch, including a close call where a potential game-tying hit was ruled a foul, traversing the right field line by less than an inch. The game-tying effort fell short as YSU ended the inning with a forced ground out.

The Penguins continued to slowly tick up the score, as in the top of the fifth inning as Autumn Behlke added an RBI single to her tally as YSU took a 4-2 lead.

After three-consecutive 1-2-3 half innings, the Golden Grizzlies were down to their final three outs to mount a comeback. Carraway, Mia Konyvka, and Troyer showed excellent discipline at the plate, drawing back-to-back walks to start the inning. Johnston grounded into a fielder's choice as the Penguins got the out at home, but now stood in a bases loaded situation with one out. With a near collision between Carraway and the YSU third baseman, the play was debated on both sides, creating a lengthy delay as the umpires discussed the call.

The Golden Grizzlies huddled near the dugout while the play was determined. Interim Head Coach Sam Henderson instilled confidence in her team. "I told them that the pressure was on them and to go and have fun. I believe  in all of my players, every single one of them. I want them to have fun when they're in the batter's box and to just see something good and hit it hard".

The play was ruled to stand, bringing up DiPrima to the plate with one out and the bases still loaded, where she delivered a huge RBI single, advancing to second and scoring two runs, tying the game at four. Maci Brown, hitless thus far in four at-bats, held the game in her hands with the game-winning run standing at third base. The senior remained cool and calm, placing a solid swing and singling to right-center field, scoring the game winning run as the Golden Grizzlies scored a walk-off victory, 5-4 to start their home-opening series.

Oakland scored nine hits in the game, with DiPrima (2-of-4) and Brooklyn Plitz (2-of-5) both earning multiple hits.

"It was an exciting and long game. I'm very happy with the team and the fight they showed, along with the energy they brought. They didn't lay down and quit and that's all I can ask for".

The walk-off victory is the first this season, and the first since Oakland walked-off against Green Bay nearly a year ago to the day on Apr. 8, 2023 as Bieniewicz's walk-off single scored the 4-3 win.

The Golden Grizzlies improve to 5-2 in conference play, while handing the Penguins their first conference loss of the season and snap their 11 game win streak. Oakland has won five of their last six games, and batted over .300 in a game for the sixth time this season, riding behind the emergence of their presence at the plate.



The two teams continue what looks to be a heated series tomorrow with a double-header, beginning at 1 p.m.

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