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RICHMOND, Ky. – The Eastern Kentucky University baseball team dropped its season opener to Oakland University on Saturday, 17-6, at Turkey Hughes Field. The Colonels (0-1) took a 5-0 lead after the second inning, but Oakland (1-0) tied it in the third and then plated nine runs in the fifth to pull away.

After an Aaron Barrows triple in the first inning scored senior Matt Davis, Barrows, himself, crossed the plate following a throwing error by Oakland catcher Ryan Waldhart.

The Colonels added to their lead in the second inning. Freshman #A.J. Jamison led off the inning with a double to left and was brought home on a bunt single by sophomore Ryan Faidley#. Barrows then laced a single to center to score Faidley. With two outs, junior Joey Stevens walked home a run to make it 5-0.

A three run shot by center fielder Justin Wilson highlighted a five-run third for the Golden Grizzlies that tied the game. Then, after senior Tyler Rehmel scored on an error in the bottom of the fourth to put the Colonels ahead, Oakland scored nine runs in the top of the fifth – eight of them with two outs – to give the Golden Grizzlies a lead they would not relinquish.

Sophomore Paul Duncan (0-1) received the loss for the Colonels. Duncan threw just two thirds of an inning and allowed nine runs (only one of them earned). Junior Chris Hord started the game for EKU and threw four innings, allowing five runs on four hits. He also struck out two batters. Sophomore Macon Smith came on in the fifth in relief of Duncan and pitched through the eighth, giving up three runs on three hits. Senior David Owens faced just one batter in the eighth and recorded the out.

Barrows finished the game 2-for-5 with two RBI and a run scored, while Faidley batted 2-for-3 with a run scored.

Matt LaMothe (1-0) picked up the win for Oakland. The freshman came on in the third and pitched 3.1 innings of one run, two hit baseball. Senior Shane McCatty opened for the Golden Grizzlies and went just 1.2 innings, allowing five runs on four hits. Freshman John Estes held the Colonels scoreless through the final three innings to pick up the save.

Offensively, Oakland was led by Wilson who went 3-for-6 with six RBI and two runs scored. Freshman Tim Ryan (3-for-4 with four RBI and three runs scored) and sophomore Tommy Jablonski (3-for-5 with an RBI and three runs scored) also contributed.

The Colonels will host Oakland in a doubleheader tomorrow, Feb. 22, with the first game starting at noon.