ROCHESTER, Mich. - The Golden Grizzlies baseball team looks to spark a win streak as it continues on with four road games on the week, opening up with a visit to Akron, followed by a three-game series against Middle Tennessee.

The team comes back to the midwest as it faces the Akron Zips tomorrow (March 5), with first pitch slated for 2:00 p.m. ET, followed by a weekend series (March 7-9) against Middle Tennessee with first pitches slated for 4:00 p.m. ET (March 7) and 2:00 p.m. ET (March 8-9). All three games against Middle Tennessee will be streamed live on ESPN+.

The Golden Grizzlies are coming off a 2-3 week, but are riding a two-game win streak as it outscored the New Mexico State Aggies in its final two games, 24-8.

Game 1 (Wednesday, Feb. 26): UTSA 13, Oakland 3 (7 Inn.)
The Golden Grizzlies baseball team fell to UTSA 13-3 in seven innings, despite home runs from Brandon Nigh and Trent Rice. Oakland struggled to capitalize on scoring opportunities, leaving runners stranded while the Roadrunners built an early lead and continued to extend it. A late rally attempt with a pair of home runs wasn't enough, as UTSA sealed the game with three runs in the seventh.

Game 2 (Friday, Feb. 28): New Mexico State 5, Oakland 4 (10 Inn.)
The Oakland Golden Grizzlies fought hard but fell to New Mexico State, 5-4, in a ten-inning battle. Despite outhitting the Aggies 11-9, Oakland struggled with runners in scoring position, leaving 12 men on base. A late rally forced extra innings, but New Mexico State capitalized on a fielding error.

Game 3 (Saturday, March 1): New Mexico State 13, Oakland 8
The Oakland Golden Grizzlies traded leads with New Mexico State in a back-and-forth battle but ultimately fell 13-8. Despite early offensive success, including a home run from Ben Clark and key hits from John Lauinger, the Aggies broke the game open with a six-run seventh inning. Oakland fought to rally but couldn't close the gap in the final frames.

Game 4 (Sunday, March 2): Oakland 16, New Mexico State 3 (7 Inn.)
The Golden Grizzlies dominated New Mexico State with a 16-3 victory, fueled by a seven-run fourth inning and a 17-hit offensive explosion. McGann and Halloran led the charge with four RBI each, while Brody Fahnestock pitched five strong innings to secure the win. Oakland's bullpen kept the Aggies in check, sealing the team's second victory of the season.

Game 5 (Monday, March 3): Oakland 8, New Mexico State 5
Oakland secured an 8-5 victory over New Mexico State with a strong offensive performance and solid pitching. John Lauinger led the charge with three hits, while Daniel Duley delivered 5.2 innings of one-run ball before the bullpen sealed the win. Despite a four-run sixth inning by the Aggies, the Golden Grizzlies responded late to maintain their lead and close out the game.

Lauinger leads the team with 16 hits off a pair of doubles to go along with four RBI. MCGann leads with nine RBI, as Lucas Day paces the team with two home runs. On the mound, #HLBASE Pitcher of the Week Brody Fahnestock ranks second in starting pitcher ERA with 5.27, as he's struck out eight with just 16 hits allowed.

As a team, the Golden Grizzlies hit at a .263 mark off 113 hits. Of the 113 include 15 doubles, three triples and seven home runs to go with 54 RBI. On the bump, the team holds a 7.47 ERA with 75 strikeouts and 134 hits given up.

SCOUTING THE ZIPS
Akron (4-7, 0-0 MAC) fell in its weekend series against Purdue, winning just one game of four, 10-9, and hold a one-game losing streak. Youngstown State is the only other Horizon League school the Zips have faced this season as it took down the Penguins, 11-2 (Feb. 26). The Zips host the Penguins again later in the season, as tomorrow's game marks the first of two this year against the Golden Grizzlies as it heads to Rochester March 25.

Oakland is undefeated against Akron, with a 3-0 record, as the team took care of business last year, at home, in 11 innings, 8-7. Prior to that, Oakland traveled to Akron and won both its game back in 2020, 4-3 and 1-0. Last year, a handful of current Golden Grizzlies saw action as Ben Clark led the team with a pair of RBI. Tanner Ware also earned the win in the game.

Jack Poist leads the team with 15 hits, with three doubles, one triple and two home runs, tying a team lead of 12 RBI. On the mound, Jared Schaeffer leads the starting rotation with a 6.75 ERA and is tied for the team lead with 13 strikeouts. As a whole, the Zips bat at a .238 clip with 85 hits, as it has struck out 105 while striking out 104.

SCOUTING THE BLUE RAIDERS
Middle Tennessee (6-5, 0-0 CUSA) faces off against Austin Peay before its weekend series against the Golden Grizzlies as it has lost its last two games. The Golden Grizzlies are the only Horizon League team the Blue Raiders will face this season, as Oakland is 1-2 all-time against Middle Tennessee. This marks just the second series between the two as it last played in 2021 in Murfreesboro, Tenn.

The Blue Raiders are led by Eston Snider who has knocked down 22 hits on the season, and is second on the team with 11 RBI, one behind Brett Vondohlen. Trace Phillips leads the rotation with two wins and is second with a 2.12 ERA in 17.0 innings pitched, striking out 22. As a team, the Blue Raiders hit at a .313 clip with 120 hits while allowing 101, a batting average of .264 and striking out 113.