DAYTON – The Wright State baseball team fell short 12-7 against Oakland on Saturday afternoon. The Raiders are now 14-13 on the season and 5-4 in the Horizon League.
 
The Raiders finished with seven runs on nine hits with four walks against their nine strikeouts. They were led by Jay Luikart's three hits, consisting on two home runs and an RBI single. Drew Baker, Patrick Fultz, Nate Manley, Sammy Sass, Boston Smith, and Ben Vore each recorded one hit on the day. Alongside Luikart's home runs, the Raiders added three extra-base hits, coming as doubles from Sass, Smith, and Vore. Manley reached base twice on walks, and Gus Gregory and Luikart once.
 
Luikart added the first Raider runs with a two-RBI homer to left field, and a solo home run in the third, giving Wright State a three-to-nothing lead. The Raider pitching staff held Oakland to no runs in the first four innings, before the Golden Grizzlies took a three-run lead in the fifth, putting six across home plate.
 
Wright State tied the game in the bottom of the sixth, beginning with a two-RBI double by Smith sending Luikart and Vore to score. A sacrifice fly from Fultz allowed Smith to score for the game-tying run. The Raiders took the 7-6 lead with an RBI-single by Luikart. The Golden Grizzlies added six runs in the final two innings, four in the eighth and two in the ninth, ending the game 12-7.
 
Chris Gallagher (1-1) was charged with the loss after allowing Oakland to tie the game and putting the lead-taking runner on base. Gallagher allowed three runs on two hits with one strikeout in his third of an inning of work. Starting pitcher Garret Simpson notably struck out five batters in his four and one third innings on the mound.
 
Tanner Ware was awarded the win, putting in three innings of work for the Golden Grizzlies, allowing only one run on two hits with one walk and three strikeouts. Oakland finished with 12 runs on 12 hits with two walks against their 12 strikeouts. They were led by Aiden Orr's three hits, including one double in the fifth.