JACKSONVILLE, Ala. - The Golden Grizzlies (1-3, 0-0 HL) opened up its 2025 season this weekend at Rudy Abbott Field at Jim Case Stadium and dropped a trio of hard-fought games and came out on top in one against Jacksonville State (3-1, 0-0 CUSA).

GAME ONE - Friday, Feb. 14: OAKLAND 5, JACKSONVILLE STATE 9
The game started with both teams struggling to find offense in the first inning. Oakland went quietly in the top of the first, going down in order with two strikeouts and a flyout. Jacksonville State responded with two runs in the bottom half, capitalizing on a couple of key errors and a RBI single from Sam Silas to take an early 2-0 lead.

The Golden Grizzlies' offense showed signs of life in the second, but were unable to capitalize. After a hit-by-pitch by Matthew McGann and a throwing error on a John Lauinger ground ball, Oakland had runners on the corners with two outs. However, Jacksonville State got out of the inning and would go on to add three more runs in the bottom of the second, expanding their lead to 5-0.

The third inning was similar to the first two, with Oakland failing to push any runs across despite a pair of singles. JSU added another run in the fifth to make it 6-1.

Oakland showed some resilience in the top of the sixth, as Trent Rice tripled with two outs, driving in two runs and bringing the score to 9-3. However, a late push wasn't enough to overcome the early deficit. In the top of the ninth, Oakland added two more runs on a two-RBI single by McGann, but the rally fell short as they were retired with the bases loaded to end the game.

GAME TWO - Friday, Feb. 14: OAKLAND 11, JACKSONVILLE STATE 4
Oakland struck early in the first inning when Lucas Day doubled to left-center, bringing home Brandon Nigh, who had walked earlier in the inning, giving the Golden Grizzlies a 1-0 lead. Despite a few base runners, Jacksonville State couldn't answer in the opening frame, leaving two runners stranded.

In the second, the Golden Grizzlies continued to apply pressure, but a double play and a strikeout ended their scoring threat. The Gamecocks found their first equalizer in the bottom of the second, tying the game at 1-1.

Oakland quickly regained the lead in the fourth though as Day belted a solo home run to right field to put the Golden Grizzlies up 2-1. The Golden Grizzlies extended their advantage later in the inning when Ben Clark scored an unearned run after a misplayed ball in the outfield, pushing the lead to 4-1.

The pivotal moment came in the seventh inning. Oakland took control with a five-run outburst. The Golden Grizzlies added a run off a wild pitch, followed by a fielder's choice to make it 8-3. After an error and a single by Aidan Orr, Oakland was in the driver's seat at 11-3.

Jacksonville State tried to rally in the bottom of the ninth as a double put another run on the board, but the bullpen closed the game for Oakland to split the doubleheader.

GAME THREE - Saturday, Feb. 15: OAKLAND 0, JACKSONVILLE STATE 12
Oakland started the game with a promising leadoff double by Rice in the top of the first, but the team could not capitalize. After a strikeout and getting caught stealing, the Golden Grizzlies were unable to push any runs across. Jacksonville State matched Oakland's scoreless inning with a quick three-up, three-down effort in the bottom half.

The Gamecocks' offense came alive in the fourth inning, putting together a five-run rally as Oakland's bats continued to struggle as they went scoreless through the next several innings. The Gamecocks' offense kept it up in the fifth, tacking on one more run, along with four more in the sixth.

Despite several attempts to get something going in the latter innings, the Golden Grizzlies could not break through. Their best chance came in the seventh, when McGann reached base with a walk, and Taylor Tomlin followed with a single, however, the inning ended on a double-play.

Jacksonville State added two more runs in the bottom of the eighth, further extending their lead to 12-0. The Golden Grizzlies were unable to mount any kind of comeback in the final inning, going down in order in the top of the ninth.

GAME FOUR - Sunday, Feb. 16: OAKLAND 0, JACKSONVILLE STATE 6
The game began as a pitcher's duel with both teams struggling to break through. Oakland's offense had a chance to make noise in the third inning, loading the bases with two hits and a walk, but a flyout left them stranded. On the mound, Oakland's pitchers kept Jacksonville State off the scoreboard through four innings, including a standout effort from starter Tanner Ware.

Jacksonville State's pitchers were effective as well though, keeping the Golden Grizzlies hitless through several stretches. In the bottom of the fifth, the Gamecocks capitalized on a combination of timely hitting and fielding errors as it went ahead, 2-0.

The Gamecocks increased their lead in the seventh by a pair, and eventually pushed their advantage to 6-0 after the eighth. Despite a couple of late opportunities, including a leadoff single by Lauinger in the ninth, Oakland could not capitalize and fell in the series closer, 6-0.

NEXT UP
The Golden Grizzlies return to the diamond Friday (Feb. 21) for a three-game series against McNeese State in Lake Charles, La., with first pitch for game one slated for 7:00 p.m. ET.