NDIANAPOLIS, Ind. - The Golden Grizzlies took to the road for a conference doubleheader with the IU Indy Jags, splitting a pair of seesaw games to open up the series.
GAME 1
The opening game ended 4-8 in favor of the Jags in a slugfest of a game. Oakland managed seven hits, including two doubles and a home run, while IU Indy tallied 15 hits and two home runs in the victory.
Oakland began the game with momentum as
Maggie Murphy hit a solo home run to center field, putting the Golden Grizzlies on the scoreboard first. However, the Jags responded in the bottom half of the inning, tying the game with a run of their own. After the first inning, the score stood tied at 1-1.
The fifth inning saw Oakland take the lead again.
Addison Caldwell scored after reaching base with a bunt single and advancing on a groundout by
Taylor Carraway.
Brooklyn Plitz also crossed home plate later in the inning following a hit-by-pitch with the bases loaded. By the end of the inning, the Golden Grizzlies led 3-2.
In the sixth inning,
Autumn Liebhauser doubled and later scored on a groundout by
Kenna Bommarito, adding another run for Oakland. However, IU Indy responded forcefully in their half of the inning, scoring six runs with a key highlight being a grand slam by Paige McPhearson. At the end of the sixth inning, IU Indy led 8-4.
The seventh inning saw no further scoring from Oakland, resulting in a final score of IU Indy 8, Golden Grizzlies 4.
Maggie Murphy recorded two hits, including a home run, and tallied one RBI in the game.
Addison Caldwell added to the offensive effort by stealing two bases and scoring a run. Kam Troyer contributed with a double and drew a walk, reaching base twice.
Brooklyn Plitz also made an impact by scoring a run and stealing a base.
GAME 2
Oakland bounced back in game two, taking a 9-5 victory. The Golden Grizzlies achieved a season-high with 18 hits and recorded a season-high 7 stolen bases, contributing to their decisive win.
The Golden Grizzlies took an early lead in the first inning with
Brooklyn Plitz tripling to right field and Kam Troyer doubling to left field, bringing Plitz home.
Maggie Murphy's single set up another scoring opportunity, and
Addison Kopp's sacrifice fly allowed Troyer to score, giving the Golden Grizzlies a 2-0 lead by the end of the inning.
In the fourth inning, the Golden Grizzlies extended their lead.
Addison Caldwell's bunt single and subsequent stolen base set the stage for further scoring.
Brooklyn Wyczalek singled, and Caldwell stole home, followed by a two-RBI single from Murphy, which brought in Wyczalek and Plitz. This offensive burst put the Golden Grizzlies ahead 5-1 at the end of the fourth.
The Golden Grizzlies added another run in the fifth when Kopp scored on Caldwell's groundout, increasing the lead to 6-5.
In the sixth inning, Murphy's double to right center field allowed Plitz to score, further extending the lead to 7-5. Plitz achieved a personal best in this game with a season-high of three runs scored.
The Golden Grizzlies sealed the victory in the seventh inning with two more runs.
Autumn Liebhauser drew a walk and eventually scored on Wyczalek's sacrifice fly. Caldwell then stole home, concluding the scoring at 9-5.
Plitz led the offense, collecting a season-high five hits, scoring three runs, and stealing two bases. Murphy added power to the lineup with three hits and three RBIs, including a double. Caldwell contributed by scoring two runs, recording three hits, and stealing two bases. Bommarito secured the win on the mound, pitching 3 1/3 innings with one strikeout and allowing four hits.
The Golden Grizzlies look to score their second Horizon League series win in as many series, playing the Jags one last time tomorrow, Apr. 11, at 1 p.m.
