Rochester, MI-The Cleveland State softball team fell on Friday in the opening game of a three-game series at Oakland 10-2 in five innings at the Golden Grizzlies' home field. Cleveland State is now 16-6 in the Horizon League and 21-18 overall with two regular season games remaining.
 
Cleveland State struck first as Emma Gilkerson doubled to right center field to bring home Delaney Ellis to put the Vikings up 1-0 in the top of the third inning. Oakland responded in the bottom half as the Golden Grizzlies broke the game open with six runs on six hits and an error to take a 6-1 lead.
 
Kylie Gorsuch hit her fourth home run of the season, a solo shot in the top of the fourth to dead center field, to cut into the Oakland lead. Cleveland State could not draw any closer as the Grizzlies added a run in the fourth and three more in the fifth to end the game in five innings due to the run rule.
 
Melissa Holzopfel suffered just her third defeat in conference play surrendering five earned runs in two and two thirds innings. Avery Robinson pitched the final inning and two thirds giving up four earned runs.
 
The two teams will close the series with a doubleheader tomorrow with the first pitch of game one set for noon. Cleveland State has already clinched a top two seed in next week's Horizon League Tournament and needs one victory tomorrow to clinch the regular season championship. Both games will be streamed live on ESPN+.