YOUNGSTOWN, Oh. - The Golden Grizzlies fell to Green Bay in the opening game of the Horizon League Championship by a final score of 11-4. Oakland tallied nine hits, including three doubles and a home run, but was unable to maintain an early four-run lead they established in the first inning.
The Golden Grizzlies began the game with a strong offensive performance in the first inning, scoring four runs.
Addison Caldwell doubled to right center, and after a walk to
Maggie Murphy,
Kayla Turmell reached on a fielder's choice that allowed Caldwell to score. Kam Troyer, who has been on a hot streak with 2 hits in back-to-back games, then homered to left field, bringing in Turmell.
Taylor Carraway followed with a single, and
Autumn Liebhauser doubled to drive in Carraway. At the end of the first inning, the Golden Grizzlies held a commanding 4-0 lead.
In the second inning, the Phoenix's Sidney Lamotte hit a solo home run. The Golden Grizzlies managed a triple by
Brooklyn Plitz in the bottom half, but weren't able to score, maintaining a 4-1 lead.
The third inning saw the Phoenix tie the game at 4-4 after Emily Jones hit a two-run homer, and a throwing error contributed to an additional run.
The Phoenix took the lead in the fourth inning, scoring two runs on a pair of doubles, moving the score to 6-4 as the momentum fully shifted in their favor.
The Golden Grizzlies were held scoreless in the fifth inning, despite singles by Murphy and Troyer as the team struggled to rediscover any rhythm at the plate.
In the sixth inning, the Phoenix extended their lead to 10-4, highlighted by a three-run home run by Lamotte.
The Golden Grizzlies' defense allowed one more run in the seventh inning on a single by Gracie Anderson, concluding the game with the Phoenix winning 11-4.
Troyer led the way for the Golden Grizzlies, hitting a home run and driving in two runs. Murphy contributed with two hits, including a double, while also drawing two walks. Plitz added a triple to her performance, collecting one hit in the game. Turmell scored a run and recorded an RBI despite not getting a hit.
Oakland will play in an elimination game tonight at 5 p.m., where they await the loser of (3) RMU vs (6) Detroit Mercy.
