EVANSVILLE, Ind. — The Oakland Golden Grizzlies (1-3, 0-0 HL) fell to Southern Indiana (3-2, 0-0 OVC) with a final score of 18-9 in the series opener on Thursday at the USI Baseball Field. The Golden Grizzlies put up a strong second inning with five runs, highlighted and despite a late effort with a run in the ninth frame, the Screaming Eagles' eight-run first inning and subsequent scoring proved decisive.

Junior Aidan Orr led the offense with a home run, driving in three runs and scoring twice. Junior Nick Mardis contributed with a triple and two RBIs, also scoring once, while fifth-year Kyle Revere was active on the base paths, successfully stealing two bases and collecting two hits. Senior Carter Hain showed patience at the plate against the Screaming Eagles bullpen, drawing three walks while scoring two runs.

Southern Indiana took control early, scoring eight runs in the first inning. A combination of hit batters, singles, and walks contributed to the runs, putting the home team ahead.

Oakland responded in the second inning with Orr's three-run homer, bringing in junior Ben Clark and Hain. A wild pitch allowed Mardis to score, and sophomore Aidan Schuck stole home, narrowing the deficit by three runs.

In the third inning, the Screaming Eagles added three more runs, aided by a sacrifice fly and an RBI single, extending its lead to 11-5.

Oakland cut into the lead in the fifth inning. Sophomore Sam Patton scored on a throwing error, followed by a two-RBI triple from Mardis, bringing home Hain and Orr and another three-run ballgame in Evansville.

Southern Indiana widened its lead in the seventh inning, scoring four runs, including a two-RBI triple before picking up three more in the eighth frame.

Oakland scored once more in the ninth inning with redshirt-freshman Max Orozco singling in redshirt-sophomore Lucas Day, but Southern Indiana secured the victory with a nine-run advantage.

Oakland's pitching staff faced challenges on the mound. Sophomore Wyatt Ruppenthal earned his first Golden Grizzly start and recorded just one out, allowing five earned runs on two hits, and a walk in 1/3 of an inning. Redshirt-junior George Hansen followed, also pitching 1/3 of an inning, surrendering three earned runs, two hits, and two walks. Redshirt-junior Stephen Ruhle provided some relief, pitching 1 2/3 innings with two strikeouts, before Camden Cooper picked up most of the game from the Oakland bullpen, pitching 3.2 innings, allowing one earned run on four hits with two strikeouts at the plate. Finally, redshirt-junior Ryan Donley and redshirt-senior Josh Korson combined for 1 1/3 innings, giving up six earned runs, with Korson contributing three hits.

The Golden Grizzlies will stay tight in Evansville, set for games two and three in a doubleheader tomorrow, Feb. 20, at the USI Baseball Field. First pitch of the first game tomorrow is set for 2 p.m. ET on ESPN+.


How to Follow Oakland Baseball: For complete information on Oakland Baseball, follow the team on X at @OaklandBSB and head coach Brian Nelson at @CoachNelly11. The team is also on Instagram.