DAYTON — The Wright State baseball program dropped its conference opener to Oakland 4-2 on Friday afternoon at Nischwitz Stadium. 

The Raiders (5-10) were held scoreless on one hit after eight innings of play but made a rally in the ninth inning with two runs on four hits. Justin Riemer grounded out with runners on second and third to seal the Horizon League victory for Oakland (5-10). 

OU starting pitcher Bryce Konitzer (1-1) finished just short of a complete game, allowing two runs on six hits and three walks in 8.2 innings. WSU struck out eight times against Konitzer and did not record its first hit until the bottom of the fifth inning. Ben Paugh earned the save by inducing the final out of the game. 

Jake Shirk (0-4) tossed a career-high seven innings for Wright State, giving up four runs, two earned, on five hits and one walk. He punched out six batters, including two or more in the second and fourth innings. 

Chris Gallagher and Alex Theis were stellar out of the bullpen, striking out four batters in a combined two scoreless frames. 

Alec Sayre led the Raiders offensively by reaching base three times on a double and two walks. Riemer tallied a team-high two hits, while Zane Harris delivered an RBI single in the bottom of the ninth. Andrew Patrick went 1-for-3 at the plate with a run scored. 

WSU committed two errors defensively, leading to a pair of unearned runs. 

The teams will conclude the series on Sunday with a noon doubleheader.