By Tim Rath

The Oakland University baseball team is hoping that a little home cooking can help save the season.

The Grizzlies return to Michigan this week with a 2-10 record after their month-long road trip to begin the season.

OU swept a double-header against George Washington March 9 after starting the season 0-8.

Senior Matt Trausch struck out seven while junior Rob Merkle drove in three runs to lead OU to a 10-4 win in the opener.

Sophomore Andrew Estes tossed a five-hit shutout and struck out five in the second half of the twinbill, a 7-0 Grizzlies victory.

Trausch leads all Grizzlies with 17 strikeouts, 22 innings pitched, and a 1-3 record.

But pitching hasn’t been the Grizzlies’ strong suit this season, as its team ERA hovers well above nine per game. 

In addition, aside from a 19-16 loss against George Washington, in which OU allowed six runs in the eighth inning, run support hasn’t always been there either.

OU was shut out three times in a series against Tulane last week, while the team’s batting average rests at .272 for the year.

Freshman Scott Sexton leads the Grizzlies at the plate with a .366 batting average, eight RBI, and 15 hits on the season. Senior Dustin Jeffrion has provided left-handed power with 10 RBI, three home runs, and a .280 average.

The Grizzlies’ home opener with Concordia Thursday, March 27 has been postponed and will be made up at a later date.