Herd Wins Game One over Oakland with Walk-Off Homer, Falls in Game Two

Box Score

HUNTINGTON, W. Va. – Marshall Baseball (9-4) extended its win streak to eight games with a win over the Oakland Golden Grizzlies (3-7), 13-10, in the first game of a doubleheader Saturday afternoon at the Kennedy Center, but fell in game two which concluded on Sunday morning, 10-4.

The win streak was the longest since the 2016 season.

Game 1 – Marshall 13, Oakland 10
The Golden Grizzlies struck first with Seth Tucker leading off with a double then coming around to score, but the defense clamped down to prevent further damage. The Thundering Herd claimed the lead in their half of the frame after Kyle Schaefer, Luke Edwards and Ryan Leitch each crossed home plate.

After Oakland chipped away at the advantage with a run in the third, Marshall reestablished a two-run lead, 4-2, after Geordon Blanton doubled to left center, allowing Daniel Carinci to score in the bottom of the fourth.

The visitors plated another run in the top of the fifth, but the Herd offense roared in response in the next half inning. Christian Lucio and Jordon Billups singled back-to-back before Travis Sankovich smashed a double to left center to bring home a pair of RBI. Sankovich then crossed the plate as Marshall established a 7-3 advantage.

The teams each scored in the sixth and seventh with Oakland grabbing a second run the seventh frame pushing the score to Marshall 9, Oakland 6.

In the eighth inning, The Golden Grizzlies got in front, 10-9, after Ian Cleary cleared the bases with a grand slam.

After a scoreless bottom of the eighth and top of the ninth, Carinci blasted a home run to right to tie the game at 10. The clutch offense continued as Schaefer and Edwards hit back-to-back singles. Leitch ended game one after sending the ball into the right field parking lot for a walk-off homer.

Game 2 – Oakland 10, Marshall 4
Pitching was on full display early as the squads accounted for one hit in the first three innings, a single by Lucio in the second inning.

Each team added a run in the fourth. Oakland got on the board with Cleary notching a second home run on the afternoon, a solo shot to right field. Edwards snagged a single to left center, followed by stealing second. The junior advanced to third on a wild pitch before Leitch notched another RBI on a single as Edwards scored to tie the game, 1-1.

Oakland recaptured the advantage after Thomas Green smashed a shot to center field. Edwards made the catch after a heavy sprint and fell while twisting his body to make the catch, but Brandon Nigh took advantage and sprinted to home putting the visitors up, 2-1.

The Golden Grizzlies added another run in the sixth, but Edwards responded with a leadoff home run smashed over the left field wall bringing Marshall back within one, 3-2. The Herd had the tying run on third base, but Lucio was stranded.

In the top of the seventh, Oakland seized control. After a single by Brandon Heidal and walk for Nigh, Green bunted and loaded the bases. Tucker singled to right plating a pair of runs with Cleary notching a home run to right center for a total of five runs in the inning putting the Herd's deficit at 8-2.

The visitors put up another run in the eighth, 9-2, before the Thundering Herd responded. Leitch recorded two RBI with Edwards and Schaefer scoring the runs on the double.

In the ninth, Oakland added another run, while Marshall put a runner on first base with no outs when play was suspended due to darkness. Play resumed on Sunday morning, but the Herd fell in the contest.

UP NEXT
Marshall baseball welcomes Eastern Kentucky Wednesday with first pitch scheduled at 2 p.m., at the Kennedy Center.

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Herd Wins Game One over Oakland with Walk-Off Homer, Falls in Game Two

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Team Stats

Ryan Leitch

Travis Sankovich

Kyle Schaefer

Luke Edwards

Players Mentioned

Jordon Billups

Geordon Blanton

Daniel Carinci

Luke Edwards

Ryan Leitch

Christian Lucio

Travis Sankovich

Kyle Schaefer

Marshall University Athletics