ROCHESTER, Mich. – The Golden Grizzlies (5-20, 2-4 HL) secured their first Horizon League series win this weekend against the Northern Kentucky Norse (13-9, 4-2 HL). This series featured a comeback victory on Friday and run-rule shut-out on Saturday. 

GAME ONE – FRIDAY, MAR. 21: OAKLAND 7, NKU 6
Sophomore Blake Sehlke (2-0) got the win out of the bullpen for Oakland. The right-hander went one shutout inning without giving up a hit, no walks and striking out one. Senior Hunter Pidek started the ballgame and went five innings, surrendering three runs, earned, on three hits, walking three and striking out five.

The Golden Grizzlies were trailing 2-0 in the second inning when they first put runs on the board. Senior Carter Hain came across to score the lone run of the inning for Oakland and get them on the board.

The Golden Grizzlies kept the deficit at 2-1 before tying the score in the third. Sophomore Taylor Tomlin came across to score the lone run of the inning for Oakland, which brought the score level at 2-2.

Northern Kentucky busted up the tie and took a 4-2 lead heading into the sixth, when Oakland closed the gap to 4-3. The Golden Grizzlies added a run on Hain's two-out solo home run off Northern Kentucky senior Kaden Echeman.

The Norse expanded their lead to 5-3 before the Oakland offense got back in gear, digging into that lead in the seventh. The Golden Grizzlies pushed across a run on sophomore Sam Griffith's RBI double, bringing the score to 5-4 in favor of Northern Kentucky.

Northern Kentucky extended their lead to 6-4 before Oakland rallied to score three times in the bottom half of the ninth to claim victory, walking it off on an RBI single off the bat of Matthew McGann. The 7-6 victory marked the Golden Grizzlies first Horizon League win of the season in a thrilling fashion.

This game featured the Golden Grizzlies out-hitting the Norse at a 10-9 clip, and going 4-for-11 (.364) with runners in scoring position. Tomlin led the Golden Grizzlies at the plate, going 3-for-5 with two doubles. Oakland pitchers faced 39 Northern Kentucky hitters in the game, allowing only eight ground balls and 10 fly balls while striking out eight.

GAME TWO – SATURDAY, MAR. 22: OAKLAND 10, NKU 0
On Saturday, the Golden Grizzlies broke the game open with a three-run third inning, highlighted by Brandon Nigh's two-RBI double to right field. They added another run in the fourth on a Northern Kentucky error to extend the lead to 4-0.

Oakland put the game out of reach with a four-run seventh inning. Boston Halloran led off with a double and later scored on a Sam Griffith single. John Lauinger followed with an RBI single before Nigh doubled again, bringing home two more runs. The Golden Grizzlies capitalized on defensive miscues by the Norse, scoring two unearned runs to cap the frame.

Brandon Nigh finished the day 2-for-4 with four RBIs, while Halloran added two hits and scored twice. Sam Griffith contributed two hits, an RBI, and scored twice, while Lauinger also drove in two runs.
On the mound, Garrett Garman was dominant, tossing six scoreless innings while allowing just two hits and striking out eight to earn the win. The bullpen kept Northern Kentucky quiet, with Blake Sehlke and Tanner Ware combining for two scoreless innings to seal the shutout. In total, they faced 31 Northern Kentucky hitters in the game, only allowing eight ground balls and six fly balls while striking out 10. The Golden Grizzlies out hit Northern Kentucky 9-4 while playing error-free defense. 

GAME THREE – SUNDAY, MAR. 23: OAKLAND 3, NKU 13
Despite a late rally attempt in the sixth inning, Oakland baseball dropped the final game of the weekend series to Northern Kentucky, 13-3, on Sunday at the OU Baseball Stadium.

Northern Kentucky's offense struck early and often, building a 3-0 lead through three innings and delivering a decisive blow with a combined nine runs across the sixth and seventh innings.

Oakland's offense broke through in the sixth inning. After Trent Rice walked and stole two bases, Taylor Tomlin brought home two runs with a single to center, advancing to second on a fielding error. Matthew McGann followed with an RBI groundout to bring the Golden Grizzlies within four runs, but Northern Kentucky responded with five runs in the seventh to put the game out of reach.

The Golden Grizzlies were unable to get any closer, as Northern Kentucky added six runs to their tally on the way to a 13-3 final.

Tomlin led the Golden Grizzlies at the plate, going 1-for-4 with two RBI. Sophomore Trent Rice stole two bases in Sunday's game, marking his season high. 

The Golden Grizzlies will be back at home Tuesday, March 25, as they take on Akron. First pitch is scheduled for 1 p.m.