Baseball Prepares for Five-Game Week; Hosts Akron and Cleary Before Visiting Mastodons

ROCHESTER, Mich. - Fresh off their first conference series victory, the Golden Grizzlies are looking to keep moving forward full steam ahead as they gear up for a busy week of five games, consisting of a pair of midweek non-conference matchups against Akron and Cleary, before heading back on the road for a series at Purdue Fort Wayne this weekend.

Oakland secured a pair of wins over the Norse during their home-opening series last weekend behind a walk-off single from Matthew McGann on Friday and a gem on the mound from Grant Garman on Saturday, as he pitched a six-inning shutout along with eight strikeouts.

The Golden Grizzlies are catching fire on both sides of the field after a somewhat slow start to the season, tallying the second most hits (209) of any Horizon League Team. On the mound they hold they have forced the only shutout of any conference team.

TUESDAY, MAR. 25 vs AKRON | 1 PM

The Zips will visit Rochester for the first of two midweek home games for Oakland.

Akron has had a bit of an underwhelming start to their season, holding a 6-17 record and are currently on a seven game losing streak, most recently getting swept in their three-game series to Western Michigan over the weekend.

Having given up double-digit runs in three of their last four games, the cold pitching of Akron and the hot hitting of Oakland may provide a recipe for success for Oakland.

The Zips and Golden Grizzlies will meet for the second time this season, as Akron won 11-5 in the matchup in Ohio on Mar. 5.

The last, and only time, the Zips visited Oakland was in April of 2024, as the Golden Grizzlies squealed out an 8-7 win in extra innings. Akron has struggled on the road this season, holding a 2-8 record away from Skeeles Field.

WEDNESDAY, MAR. 26 vs CLEARY | 3 PM

The Cougars will face off with the Golden Grizzlies for just the second time ever this Wednesday. Their initial meeting in March of last year was a 19-6 rout by the Golden Grizzlies at home.

The NAIA, WHAC members, have started the season a pleasant 13-11, riding a two-game win streak after beating Madonna 7-3 on Mar. 25.

With a .309 batting average, .435 on base percentage, and .447 slugging percentage, the Cougars are dangerous at the plate.

MAR 28.-30 @ PURDUE FORT WAYNE | ESPN+

Oakland returns to conference play as they visit the Mastodons for a weekend series.

The Golden Grizzlies have emerged victorious in four of the last five regular season matchups against the Mastodons. Oakland will be searching for a bit of revenge though, as PFW handed Oakland a 14-8 loss in last year's Horizon League Championship.

The Mastodons are 3-19 on the season entering the week. Despite the three-win start, they have won two of their last three games, most recently winning a 20-16 marathon game at Youngstown State on Mar. 23.

With struggles on both sides of the plate, PFW has the second lowest batting average (.242) and second highest ERA (9.19) among Horizon League teams.

Zane Danielson is an ace for the Mastodons, holding the fourth lowest ERA (4.64) and third lowest opponent batting average (.242) in the Horizon League.

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Players Mentioned

#2 Grant Garman: LHP; 6' 0"; Freshman

#9 Matthew McGann: C; 6' 0"; Graduate Student

Players Mentioned

#2 Grant Garman
: 6' 0"; Freshman
: LHP

#9 Matthew McGann
: 6' 0"; Graduate Student
: C

Players Mentioned

#2 Grant Garman

#9 Matthew McGann

Players Mentioned

#2 Grant Garman

#9 Matthew McGann