The Wright State baseball team stretched its winning streak to eight Friday afternoon, holding off a late Oakland rally to defeat the Golden Grizzlies 8-6 in Rochester, Michigan.

WSU opened the scoring in the first as a Kieston Greene sacrifice fly drove in Michael Timm, who led off with a hit and moved up to third on a Jeff Limbaugh single and an Andrew McCafferty ground out.  Oakland, though, answered with a run in the bottom of the second and it stayed that way until the Raiders went in front for good in the fourth.

In that inning, Sean Murphy was hit by a pitch to start the frame and Joe Ford singled through the right side, but a force out at third still left runners on first and second.  Jack Murphy, however, reached on an error as Ford scored and Jason DeFevers advanced to third.  Brad Macciocchi had a bunt single to make it 3-1 and the final came in on a Timm hit to center.

Wright State added a run in the fifth as both Greene and Sean Murphy pulled off a double steal, with Greene scoring as the throw went into left, only to see the Golden Grizzlies cut the deficit to 5-3 with two runs in the bottom of the inning.

The Raiders added what turned out to be three key runs in the eighth.  With two out and no one on base, Jack Murphy singled and both Macchiocchi and Timm walked to load the bases.  Limbaugh walked to force in a run and an error allowed two more to come in and make it 8-3.

Oakland took advantage of four walks and a hit in scoring three of its own in the bottom of the eighth, but with the potential tying runs in scoring position, Jack Van Horn pitched out of the threat as Mike Brosseau flied out to right.

WSU closer Andrew Elliott came on in the ninth and he earned his 10th save of the season with a scoreless frame, striking out the final batter of the game.  Starter Joey Hoelzel (6-3) picked up the win, going seven innings with four strikeouts.

Offensively, Timm and Limbaugh each had two hits and a RBI, with Timm also scoring twice as did Macciocchi.

Wright State (23-16, 16-2 Horizon) continues the series Saturday with a single game at 1:00.