ROCHESTER, Mich. – The Golden Grizzlies officially begin their return to the Horizon League Championships as they kick off the 2026 Conference Championships with a showdown against Green Bay.
No. 4 seed Oakland opens the tournament with its fourth meeting of the season against No. 5 seed Green Bay, scheduled for noon on Wednesday, May 6, in Youngstown, Ohio.
The two teams faced off in a series in Green Bay earlier this season, where the Phoenix took two of three matchups. Despite that, Oakland has won seven of the last 10 meetings between the two programs.
Both teams rank third and fourth in batting average, with Green Bay hitting .320 and Oakland .311 at the conclusion of the regular season. They are also closely matched in categories such as RBIs, hits, total bases, and slugging percentage.
The teams are similarly strong defensively, as both lead the conference with a .962 fielding percentage.
Where Oakland holds the advantage is on the basepaths and in the circle. The Golden Grizzlies lead the league with 90 stolen bases, while Green Bay has a league-low 18.
Oakland has also been the top pitching team in the conference, posting a 3.93 ERA, along with seven shutouts and 169 earned runs allowed. Green Bay has struggled in the circle, carrying a 6.70 ERA, allowing 246 earned runs, and recording 141 strikeouts.
Both teams feature top-tier talent across the conference. Green Bay’s Gracie Anderson, Sara Ebner, and Paige Guse were named to the All-League First Team. Oakland’s Maggie Murphy, Kenna Bommarito, and Kama Skrek also earned First Team honors.
The Phoenix also placed Sidney LaMotte, Savannah Schultz, and Jenna Redders on the All-League Second Team. Oakland’s Addison Caldwell and Brooklyn Plitz earned Second Team recognition, while Autumn Liebhauser was named to the Third Team.
The teams will open the tournament at noon on Wednesday, May 6, at the YSU Softball Complex. The Game will be streamed on ESPN+.