HIGHLAND HEIGHTS, Ky. — Oakland (10-27, 5-11 HL) fell to Northern Kentucky (18-22, 7-9 HL), 30–9, for the series opener on Friday at the Bill Aker Complex. Despite the loss, the Golden Grizzlies played long ball and managed three home runs and score five runs in the third inning.

Redshirt-sophomore Lucas Day led the charge with two runs, one home run, and three RBIs with his impact at the plate. Junior Aidan Orr contributed with an opening inning home run, as grad senior Carter Hain also went deep with a solo home run. Redshirt-sophomore Tony Konopiots drove in two runs, further solidifying the team's offensive efforts.

Oakland opened the scoring in the first inning when Orr homered down into center field to give the team an early lead. Northern Kentucky responded with a strong bottom half, scoring five runs, highlighted by a two-run homer.

In the second inning, Northern Kentucky extended its lead significantly with 12 runs, including a two-RBI double and a two-run homer. Oakland's offense came alive in the third inning. Konopiots drove in two runs with a single, followed by Day's three-run homer, cutting the deficit. However, Northern Kentucky added seven more runs in the bottom half as the Norse led the rest of the game.

Oakland scored two runs in the fifth inning. Day scored on a bases-loaded walk drawn by sophomore Sam Patton, and redshirt-junior Sam Griffith reached on a fielder's choice to bring in another run. 

In the seventh inning, Oakland added a final run with a solo homer into left field from Hain. The game concluded with a 30–9 victory for the home team.

Sophomore Andrew Landis started the game, allowing nine earned runs on eight hits in one inning of work. Freshman Tagertt Dillard and redshirt-junior Stephen Ruhle came in relief, combining for 7 runs over 2/3 innings. Redshirt-sophomore Luke Riggs surrendered five runs in 1/3 inning, before junior Drew DelCollo and senior Josh Korson each pitched an inning, allowing a combined nine earned runs on eight hits, with DelCollo earning three strikeouts. Redshirt-sophomore Boston Halloran closed down the game by throwing two scoreless innings and allowing only a hit.

The Golden Grizzlies and Norse will play game two of the series tomorrow, April 25 at Bill Aker Complex. First pitch is scheduled for 1 p.m. ET.


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.