Highland Heights, Ky. - The Golden Grizzlies wrapped up their first Horizon League series on Saturday, splitting a doubleheader with the Northern Kentucky (NKU) Norse on the road.

GAME 1

The opening game of the day was a tough one for Oakland, as they fell 7-3.

The Norse started the scoring early, as Brielle DiMemmo and Brooke Keltner, who hit back-to-back home runs the game before, did it again in the bottom of the first inning to take a 3-0 lead.

Kenzie Gulley and Jena Rhoads added an RBI triple and RBI single in the bottom of the second to expand NKU's lead to 5-0.

The Golden Grizzlies responded in the top of the third, as Addison Kopp registered an RBI single to cut the deficit to 5-1.

After another DiMemmo home run in the fifth, Oakland once again made a push in the top of the sixth inning. Addison Caldwell slammed an RBI double, scoring Annabel Power, who pinch-ran for Maggie Murphy after she opened the inning with a single. Mary Newton added another run on an RBI groundout, as Oakland pulled within striking distance at 6-3 with an inning left to play.

The Norse held off the comeback, adding an insurance run in the bottom of the sixth to secure the 7-3 win.

Four Oakland batters recorded hits, with Brooklyn Plitz tallying a triple and Caldwell adding a double.

Mary Newton had an impressive outing in the circle, tossing 4.1 innings with a pair of strikeouts while allowing two runs.

GAME 2

The series finale fared much better for the Golden Grizzlies, as they closed out the series with a 3-1 win behind yet another gem from pitcher Kenna Bommarito.

Offensively, Oakland gave Bommarito three runs of support, starting with a big top of the first inning.

Murphy tripled to right field, bringing Kam Troyer home after she led off with a single. Kayla Turmell later drove in Murphy, giving Oakland a 2-0 cushion right out of the gate.

Both teams stayed quiet until the fourth inning, when Bommarito helped her own cause with an RBI single, scoring Autumn Liebhauser, who pinch-ran for Murphy after she drew a leadoff walk, extending the lead to 3-0.

NKU attempted to rally in the bottom of the seventh, as a bases-loaded walk prevented the shutout, but it was too little, too late, as Oakland secured the 3-1 win.

The Golden Grizzlies totaled six hits, all from different batters, with Murphy, Turmell, and Caldwell each recording extra-base hits.

Bommarito tossed a complete game, holding NKU scoreless until the final inning, while striking out four batters.

Oakland returns to Michigan but remains on the road for its next matchup, traveling to face Western Michigan on Tuesday, Mar. 24 at 2 p.m.