EAST LANSING, Mich. – The Golden Grizzlies put up a strong fight but ultimately fell 7-5 to Michigan State on Tuesday evening at Secchia Stadium. Despite a powerful offensive showing, the Golden Grizzlies could not hold off the Spartans' late-game push.

After a scoreless first inning, Oakland's bats came alive in the second. With two runners aboard, Brooklyn Wyczalek launched a three-run home run to give the Golden Grizzlies an early 3-0 lead. Michigan State quickly responded in the bottom half of the inning with a three-run shot of their own from Britain Beshears, evening the score at three apiece.

Oakland continued its offensive surge in the third inning. Madi Herrington led off with a solo home run to push the Golden Grizzlies ahead 4-3. The team tacked on another run in the fifth as Kayla Turmell delivered an RBI double, extending Oakland's lead to 5-3.

Michigan State chipped away at Oakland's lead with a solo home run from Collette Allen in the fourth inning, narrowing the deficit to 5-4. The Spartans took the lead in the fifth on a two-run home run by Hannah Hawley, making it 6-5. They added an insurance run in the sixth to bring the score to 7-5.

Wyczalek (1-for-3) led the offensive effort with a three-run homer, while Herrington (1-for-3) went deep for a solo shot for her team-high second homer of the year, and scored twice. Turmell (2-for-3) contributed an RBI double, adding to Oakland's strong offensive output. Brooklyn Plitz (2-for-3) joined Turmell in the multiple-hits club for the game, raising her batting average as well.

The Golden Grizzlies will travel back to Rochester and prepare for their home-opening, three-game series against Northern Kentucky, beginning on Friday, Mar. 21 at 3 p.m.