In a mid-week game against the Michigan State Spartans, the Oakland Golden Grizzlies baseball team (10-21, 5-7 Horizon) clawed back in the game’s final two innings, besting the Spartans 11-9.
Multiple Oakland players had standout performances in this matchup, including Ben Clark and Aidan Orr, who both recorded three RBIs, with Clark scoring the game-winning run and Orr belting two homers.
In addition to Clark and Orr, pitcher Jaxson Easterlin showed up big, shutting down the Spartan batters late, and getting the Golden Grizzlies out of a jam in the seventh inning for his first win on the season.
The Spartans got on the scoreboard quickly in the first inning as Isaac Sturgess hit a double before being sent home by Randy Seymour, who hit a double of his own. Then, a Ryan McKay single brought home Seymour, making it 2-0 in favor of Michigan State.
Oakland responded in the next inning with a string of hits, highlighted by an RBI double from Lucas Day. With a walk and four hits in the inning, the Golden Grizzlies took a 3-2 lead over the Spartans.
Quick to respond was Michigan State, which tied up the game in the bottom of the inning. Following a single from Khamaree Thomas, a throwing error allowed Thomas to advance to third. Parker Picot then flew out to center to bring in Thomas, the tying run.
The Golden Grizzlies took back the lead in the following inning, as Aidan Schuck was hit by a pitch and advanced to third on two wild pitches. Oakland’s next batter, Carter Hain, nailed the ball to center field for an RBI single, putting Oakland ahead, 4-3.
Oakland seized control in the fourth by adding to its lead. Clark opened the inning with a single before Kyle Revere sent him home with an RBI double. After Revere advanced to third on a groundout, Shuck connected for a sacrifice fly, allowing Revere to score to make it a 6-3 ballgame in favor of the Golden Grizzlies.
In the top of the sixth, Oakland further cushioned its lead, as Revere singled to left field. With Orr next up to bat, he cleared the fences for a two-run homer, keeping the Golden Grizzlies ahead 8-3.
Michigan State saw a promising start in the bottom of the sixth, as Seymour was hit by a pitch and McKay was walked, opening the door for another Thomas single to cut the Oakland lead down to 8-4.
Although the Golden Grizzlies held on to their lead for most of the game, some costly pitching errors allowed the Spartans to rally back in the seventh. Despite recording just two hits, a wild pitch, multiple walks and hit batters led to five runs to give Michigan State a 9-8 lead.
Looking for an answer, Orr had the response in the next inning, connecting for his second home run to tie the game, not only marking a new career-high for Orr but also shifting momentum back to Oakland’s side.
In the ninth and final inning, the Golden Grizzlies found themselves in position to take back the lead with two runners on and two outs. With the game on the line, Clark lined one to left center for the game-winning two-RBI double, breaking the tie in Oakland’s favor.
On the bump through the final 2.2 innings, Easterlin sealed the win for the Golden Grizzlies, allowing zero hits while striking out one for his first win of the season.
On Deck
Up next, the Golden Grizzlies will take on the Youngstown State Penguins for a three-game series at the Oakland Baseball Field starting on Friday, April 17, lasting through Sunday, April 19.
Oakland came away with a series win on the road over the Penguins the last time the two teams faced off earlier this season. Riding the momentum of a mid-week upset, the Golden Grizzlies will look to climb the Horizon League standings as they face Youngstown State.
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