Don Ritenburgh Business Adviser ritenbur@oakland.edu
248.370.2533
Memior,” at Oakland University.
PHOTO BY SAMANTHA SCHIHL
Facing myths and challenges at OU’s State of the University Address
ADRIAN JIMENEZ MORALES
Campus Editor
Oakland University President Ora Hirsch Pescovitz presented the annual State of the University Address on Oct. 10 to speak on the myths and challenges impacting higher education and OU’s efforts to overcome them.
The OU President addressed the myth that a college degree is unaffordable and unnecessary while also listing the initiatives the university is employing to overcome declining enrollment, unsatisfactory graduation rates, equity graduation gaps and a mental health crisis.
The speech was preceded by the Repertory Dance Company performance of “Just Wave,” choreographed by the Associate Professor of Dance Thayer Jonutz. Pescovitz also took a moment to thank the legislators, county officials and local mayors who attended the event and congratulate the OU Deans and Leadership Team Council for their work this past year.
Disproving Myths
To debunk the myth that a college degree is not important, nor necessary for a high-paying job, Pescovitz explained that college graduates are twice as likely to be employed compared to those with only a high school diploma.
“Earnings for bachelor’s degree holders are 86% greater than those with only a high school diploma,” Pescovitz said. “Median lifetime earnings are $1.2 million higher for bachelor’s degree holders.”
Out of Michigan’s hot 50 job outlook through 2032, 42 require at least a bachelor’s degree, with the highest-paid ones having the same requirement, she explained. Pescovitz further detailed the university’s success in connecting students with such job opportunities.
“72% of Our graduating seniors are employed within a year, and 98% of those students work right here in Michigan,” Pescovitz said. “The OU pledge ensures that every undergraduate student has an experiential learning opportunity, such as an
internship, research, study abroad and others that complement their academic studies.”
With a national average of $40,681 in debt after graduation, the OU president celebrated that 52% of OU students graduated with no debt and those who did only owed $22,750 on average. She pointed to student aid initiatives as one of the reasons for this development.
“For new students from families earning less than $70,000 annually, tuition is free,” Pescovitz said. “The Golden Grizzlies Graduate Program further supports affordability by helping students who had to pause their education.”
Facing Challenges
The declining enrollment of college students in Michigan due to the 15% decrease in high school graduates over the past decade was the first challenge Pescovitz addressed.
The President’s web page interactive dashboard, the president explained, was one of the first strategic enrollment management tools. The website included an institutional profile, student success stories, retention and graduation rates, etc.
“Last Saturday at our Go for the Gold event, we reported the highest-ever attendance at our open house for prospective undergraduate students,” Pescovitz said. “We find this extremely encouraging because it comes at a time of negative statewide enrollment trends.”
Partnerships with Oakland Community College and Macomb Community College were also listed as key proactive admissions strategies. For the first time, OCC students lived at OU residence halls, which is a benefit that will now be extended to MCC students.
“We are encouraged that applications for new undergraduate students are up nearly 34%,” Pescovitz said. “Although our enrollment has progressively declined from 2017 through this fall, the promising Go for the Gold participation being number two in the state in transfer students and increasing applications for winter are all encouraging signs.”
With a static 58% six-year graduation rate and a decreasing graduation rate for underrepresented minority students, “we’ve taken numerous aggressive key strategies to address retention and graduation rates,” Pescovitz said.
The strengthening of academic advising and financial aid enhancements thanks to the nearly $1 million provided by the Dream Initiative and the Sixty by 30 Grant were listed as some of the initiatives supportive of first-generation student graduations.
Enhancing services at Graham Health Center, the Counseling Center and the launch of Uwill’s teleconsulting platform were among the efforts listed to tend to the mental health needs of the campus community.
Accomplishments and Developments
“We celebrate diversity and are very proud that we are ranked as the second most LGBTQ+ friendly campus in Michigan,” Pescovitz said. “We’re so proud of our gold-level status from the Veterans Affairs agency.”
Ranking as the safest campus in Michigan and the seventh in the country and winning the McCafferty Award for the Horizon League’s allsports champion were celebrated alongside a 95% student-athlete graduation rate and the growing number of student organizations.
“We’re continually enhancing the learning environment, renovating classrooms and laboratories, improving accessibility, building contemporary, cutting-edge classrooms and inclusive campus settings,” Pescovitz said. “We’re restructuring general education requirements to make courses more streamlined and accessible and we’re creating support for culturally resident pedagogy.”
The $29 million in 110 research grants received by OU exceeded last year’s total by 15%, allowing for the grand opening of the Research and Innovation Center and the inclusion of 12 OU faculty members in Stanford’s list of the top 2% of scientists in the entire world.
“In January, Oakland received the 2024 Carnegie Community Engagement Classification,” Pescovitz said. “The status reflects a major endorsement for our work in the OU Pontiac initiative.”
An increase in OU student voting, five ribbon cuttings and the surpassing of the $150 million goal of the ‘Aspire. Advance. Achieve.’ campaign was also listed as the latest successes on campus.
“We’re developing a campus master plan that will complement the vision and initiatives set forth in our new strategic plan,” Pescovitz said. “Together, these complementary plans will further develop the facilities, natural resources and promise of the university.”
The OU president encouraged students to help out with the university’s advancement efforts by studying hard and making connections — efforts that would contribute towards increasing enrollment and graduation rates.
“Let us pledge to work together to further elevate Oakland as a preeminent international university with an intensely regional focus and a global impact,” Pescovitz said. “I know that together, we can, we must and we will.”
PHOTO BY COURTNEY BLACKETT
PHOTO BY COURTNEY BLACKETT
OU student organizations host La Fiesta de Baile
NOAH FRANCIS Features Editor
Oakland University hosts Hispanic Heritage Month, holding a variety of events to experience involving Hispanic culture in several different ways. From community service projects to film festivals to OU’s own Festival del Barrio, students have been able to experience various aspects of Hispanic culture.
La Fiesta de Baile, hosted by the Student Programming Board (SPB), WXOU and Ballroom & Latin Dance Club at OU, taught the OU community how to perform a few Latin dances for themselves during this rhythmic night to remember.
Following her role of organizing SPB’s pumpkin carving event in WXOU’s Harvest Fest, BoiGia Phui, the special events coordinator for SPB, brought La Fiesta de Baile to life.
“The event is a celebration of Hispanic culture for the month of October,” Phui said. “La Fiesta de Baile is a celebration of Latin dance and Latin music, so we have dance instructors, we have churros, we have some fruit punch and we have face painters, in celebration of the Spanish culture.”
The dance instructors from the Ballroom & Latin Dance Club are Mia Mehalko and Jasper Walter. Mehalko delves into the different dances taught at the event.
“We got some people learning some introductory merengue and salsa,” Mehalko said. “I feel like the vibe was really good. Lots of social time, lots of laughs. It wasn’t anything too serious, so I think a lot of people were able to come out, enjoy themselves and dance.
Mehalko explains her favorite Latin dance to work with.
“My favorite is samba,” Mehalko said. “I like how energetic it is and how bouncy it is. I like that it’s the only Latin traveling dance besides Paso, so I think it’s really cool to kind of just bounce across the floor like that.”
Joseph Dean, the treasurer of SPB, talks about his
experience with the event.
“It exceeded my expectations,” Dean said. “It was just more low key, and everyone could just relax and have some fun. I didn’t think I would enjoy Latin dancing this much.”
Dia Camara, an attendant of the event, explains his experience with different styles of dancing.
“The dancing was cool,” Camara said. “I’m more of a freestyle dancer, though, so I was not too good at some of the more organized dances, but I think there’s a beauty to it.”
Aside from merengue and salsa, students at the event could easily pick up bachata as well. Leonardo Patek, an attendant of the event, expresses his enjoyment of bachata.
“I love it, and I want to do it with more people,” Patek said. “I think everybody should learn this dance. I used to ballroom dance, way back in the day, but I never learned the bachata. I only learned stuff like tango, waltz and cha-cha.”
For more information regarding Hispanic Heritage Month and OU’s upcoming events, visit the OU webpage. To learn more about the Ballroom & Latin Dance Club and the different dances they teach, visit their Instagram page @ballroomdanceou, or visit their GrizzOrgs webpage. Don’t forget to check out SPB’s upcoming events on their Instagram page @ spbou or visit their GrizzOrgs webpage.
PHOTO COURTESY OF NOAH FRANCIS
The Role of Religion in American politics: OU hosts conversation
MATILDE RABAJOLI
Campus Reporter
On Oct. 9, Henri Gooren, Director of Religious Studies, moderated a conversation on religion in politics at the Oakland Center’s Ambassador’s Room. The participating religions were Christianity, Judaism and Islam.
The panel discussion was also a conversation with the students attending, exchanging questions with the three speakers.
Andrew Guffey represented Christian Studies, Joseph Klein represented Judaic Studies and Dawud Walid represented the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR).
A plethora of topics were discussed in the three hours of the event, such as the complexity that religion has on American politics and how to utilize it, the various understandings of same-sex marriage, transgenderism and gender reassignment and how certain religions merge scientific research and faith.
“I think that the majority of Americans will be unsynchronized, unchurched and unmasked … that’s going to cause some political challenges, especially when it comes to issues of the First Amendment,” Walid said.
“Should religious priorities inform civil behavior? Obviously, it’s going to inform civil behavior, but I’m
wary of the should, in part because I recognize that some of the breakdown in civility is not even, is not just secular, but also religious,” Guffey said as the conversation started. “There’s certain ambivalences that I have, or anxiety, unrest, about this relationship between religion or faith and the civic sphere … there’s, I think, a cautious engagement.”
Answering the same initial question, Klein recalled past presidential rhetoric.
“John Kennedy said he was Catholic and that his Catholic values were going to inform him in his presidency. I don’t have a problem with that … The issue is when one’s religious values begin to interfere with my religious values.” Klein said. “I definitely think there are values that we share, that our religions promote, and I’m wary of who it is that decides what they are.”
Among differences in faith, the speakers found similarities in how their older tenets approached contemporary subjects like same-sex marriage. Goore directed the conversation to the topic of personal rights regarding who one chooses to marry by pointing out that “this is diversity of opinion, not just between traditions, but within traditions.”
Guffey and Klein had similar points to make as, historically, both the Jewish and Christian communities were not supportive of same-sex marriage.
“In the progressive Jewish community, not the fundamental far-right Jewish community … a
same-sex marriage is legitimate. It is honored, it is respected and it’s fully a part of the community.”
Klein explained.
Guffey pointed to the theology of marriage as an explanation of the different opinions within creeds. “The idea is that [marriage] is making us better,” Guffey said. “If that’s the case, then on what basis can we deny this means of grace to people who happen to be attracted to people of the same sex?”
Referencing Muslim scholars and current events, “not a single Islamic advocacy organization or a single Islamic scholar ever raise[d] any public dismay about the legalization of same-sex unions, though it’s clearly prohibited according to Islamic law,” Walid added.
“It’s hard to talk about these things, and it’s good they had a space to talk about them,” mechanical engineering graduate, Alan Harris, said after similar conversations were held regarding the instrumentalization of faith in public discourse, in identity politics and foreign policy.
As a final word, Gooren stated the importance of conversations like this during the election year.
“We’re informing [students], they’re learning things about different faith revisions, they’re learning about diversity within the same tradition,” Gooren said. “I would hope OU students go to vote … and that they understand their civic responsibility.”
OU Honors College welcomes a variety of guest speakers
DANIELA CESARIO Features Reporter
Oakland University’s Honors College is not just a place for rigorous academics, but also a hub for fostering intellectual curiosity through guest speakers. This semester, students have been exposed to an inspiring lineup of professionals, experts and thought leaders, each providing insights that complement the Honors College’s interdisciplinary approach.
“The speakers are usually very interesting to listen to,” Freshman Heather Czekai said. “We got to recently listen to a woman who was an expert on monarch butterflies tell us all about them, after there was a section in the book we are reading, ‘To Shake the Sleeping Self,’ by Jedidiah Jenkins, all about the butterflies.”
The Honors College regularly schedules guest speakers from various fields to provide diverse perspectives on the recent curriculum of the class.
“I remember the speakers being super professional,” Junior Anderson Strable said. “When I was in the class, we got to listen to a police officer who told us all about her cases, which related to the book we were reading. It was super insightful and actually really interesting to see her perspective on the cases.”
The mission of the Honors College is to not only challenge students academically, but to inspire them. These guest speakers give students a chance to see how ideas evolve beyond the classroom and into the world.
“It helps me see how what we’re learning now can actually be applied in the future,” Czekai said. “It’s really motivating to hear their stories and know that we could be doing similar impactful work one day. Hearing from people who are actively shaping their fields gives us a sense of what we can achieve beyond college.”
The guest speakers bring a whole new dimension to what students learn in class. It’s one thing to read
about theories or case studies but hearing directly from people who are out there making a difference in the real world, whether in science, social activism or tech, it can make everything feel more relevant.
“It makes the concepts we’re studying so much more tangible and inspiring,” Strable said. “When someone who’s a leader in their field talks about the challenges they’ve faced and the breakthroughs they’ve made, it really pushes you to think bigger about what you can achieve in your own career.”
As the semester continues, students can expect more engaging talks, with upcoming guests from fields as varied as social activism and artificial intelligence.
“Each speaker brings their unique story and expertise, which helps us see the real-world applications of what we’re learning,” Strable said. “It’s one thing to read about climate change in textbooks but listening to someone who’s on the front lines of research makes the issues feel so much more immediate and important. It motivates me to get involved and make a difference.”
The initiative remains a hallmark of Oakland University’s Honors College, providing students with opportunities to engage with professionals who are shaping the future. For more information on future events or how to attend, visit the Honors College website.
PHOTO COURTESY OF THE OU HONOR’S COLLEGE WEBSITE
Golden Grizzlies Pantry launches Swipe Out Hunger initiative
DANIELA CESARIO
Features Reporter
Oakland University is taking significant steps to combat food insecurity on campus with the launch of the returning Swipe Out Hunger initiative. Organized by the Golden Grizzlies Pantry, this program allows students to donate five of their meal swipes to help fellow Golden Grizzlies who may be struggling to afford the cost of meals.
“The pantry is a necessity for a lot of students,” Shayla Hamilton, a Golden Grizzlies Pantry volunteer, said. “Especially our international students that really rely on us to help them get through the days with food, and whatever else they need. I think what we can provide is very beneficial.”
With many students juggling the demands of academic life, extracurriculars and part-time jobs, for some, the financial strain leads to difficulty accessing regular, nutritious meals.
“There are QR codes posted around campus that students can scan, and then donate up to five of their dining hall swipes,” Hamilton said. “We are partnered with a non-profit organization called ‘Swipe Out Hunger’ that is really pushing for drives like this across college campuses nationwide.”
The program goes beyond just providing meals. It’s a reminder that the Oakland University community is built on the values of kindness, empathy and
support. By participating in the program, students can help break down the barriers that prevent their peers from accessing basic necessities.
“Another way to get involved is by volunteering in the pantry,” Graduate student Emrys Scribner said. “We are really hopeful of expanding and although it might be difficult to do, this program is definitely the start. Our goal is to make sure everyone in our community here at OU has access to a warm meal.”
As the Swipe Out Hunger initiative continues to grow, there is hope that more students will join in and make the program a permanent feature of OU life. This effort goes a long way in building a strong and inclusive campus community.
“All of the information regarding getting vouchers for the meals is posted on our socials,” Hamilton said. “Students can get their vouchers and take them straight to the dining hall where they will be accepted as a dining hall swipe.”
The pantry encourages students to get involved by donating their swipes, volunteering at the pantry or spreading the word about the program. With the help of compassionate students and staff, the Swipe Out Hunger program is paving the way for a stronger, more supportive campus community.
“The only thing we are really able to keep stocked on our shelves is canned food,” Hamilton said. “It would be super beneficial to be able to provide more than that, like a hot meal, which is exactly what the program is meant to do. This has been in the works for about two years now, with our previous manager, and now I am really trying to take initiative and get it started again.”
If you’re interested in donating meal swipes or volunteering at the Oakland University Pantry, visit their Instagram @goldengrizzliespantry, or stop by the pantry office in the Oakland Center.
Sociology Club: Made with a new coat of paint
NOAH FRANCIS
Features Editor
Although some student organizations and clubs fade away before their time, sometimes it only takes the right people to put it back on the map. The Sociology Club at OU, once retired but brought back to life last semester, aims to help students understand the importance of sociology, and connect with others majoring in sociology.
Sierra Spry, the treasurer and co-founder of the Sociology Club, explains her journey and motives to bring the club back.
“The president [Kate Bird] and I restarted this club last semester in winter 2024,” Spry said. “We got the idea from the professors in our department, because Kate and I both agreed that it was really hard to find other sociology majors in our classes. We share so many classes with other majors, such as anthropology, criminal justice and social work, that we would be in these sociology classes and be the only sociology majors in the room. So initially, we just started the club so that we could find other sociology majors.”
Finding more students interested in sociology was not a hard task, as the club’s first GrizzFest as a restarted club was a success.
“We were at GrizzFest and it was very successful,” Spry said. “We found a lot of freshmen that are
coming in that are somewhat interested in sociology, but they haven’t been exposed to it before. Now, we have an intro class that has a bunch of freshmen that are thinking about majoring in sociology, and they’re definitely interested in the club, so that has been really encouraging.”
Spry explains how the club is working to add mild education into the meetings.
“We do a lot of social events with mild education in
it, but we tend to keep it a little lower on the hardcore education of sociology,” Spry said. “We want it to be open for everybody, and we don’t want to feel like there’s any barriers to coming to the meetings.”
Spry delves into the different events the Sociology Club holds, including a particular event she is proud of — zine making.
“The kind of events that we put on, we’ll have game night socials, we’ll talk about classes, we’ll introduce professors and we’ll do arts and crafts. We also did a zine making meeting where we taught a little bit about how to make them and how zines historically play a role in politics and in sharing information that isn’t normally publicized in other forms of publications.”
Along with the events, Spry wants to show members how they can use sociology in the workforce.
“Sociology is something that can be used in a multitude of ways,” Spry said. “I know a lot of people’s sociology degrees go into HR or they go into a lot of nonprofit work. I have worked for a nonprofit and it really just teaches a perspective on the world that I feel not a lot of other majors can teach.”
Later this semester, the Sociology Club plans to collaborate with other CAS clubs, such as the Anthropology Club. For more information on upcoming events and to learn more about the club, visit their Instagram page @sociologyclubou or visit their GrizzOrgs webpage.
PHOTO COURTESY OF SOCIOLOGY CLUB
PHOTO COURTESY OF MEGAN JUDY
Navratri: The return of the Indian Student Association to OU
ADRIAN JIMENEZ MORALES
Campus
Editor
On Oct. 11 the Oakland Center’s Gold rooms took on the sounds, taste and celebration of Navratri, the Indian Dance Carnival.
The annual Hindu festival arrived at OU by the hand of the Indian Students Association (ISA). While not nine days of celebration were hosted like those in India, the campus event included traditional Garba and Dandiya dances, a prayer for the Goddess Durga and a vegetarian menu.
“We are gathered here today to celebrate one of India’s most vibrant and spiritually significant festivals that is Navratri,” Khyati Sharma, ISA treasurer said. “Navratri is basically a nine-day festival, and each of them is dedicated to nine forms of Goddess Durga”
With a maxed-out RSVP list on GrizzOrgs, over two dozen tables were full of students, faculty and family members. The event kicked off with a prayer for Ma Durga in front of a small altar next to the dancefloor.
“Everything is related to light, whatever festivals that we celebrate is, it’s a metaphor for light,” ISA President, Jigyasa Soni, said. “Maa Durga is one of our gods, she basically conquered evil for continuously nine days. So we celebrate her in different forms for nine continuous days.”
The ISA e-board opened the dancefloor with a traditional Garba and Dandiya dance performance
inviting all attendees to enjoy two hours of music.
“We did the circle dance, there was a beautiful meaning to that because we revolve together in a circle that’s been formed which symbolizes the life cycle,” Vishaka Sharma, ISA secretary said. “It brings unity and harmony amongst people. We believe that with us keeping more such events, there will be other communities that will join in and also learn what we do culturally.”
Chana Masala, Pakora and Gulab Jamun were some of the all-vegetarian dishes served at the party. The lack of meat on the menu also reflected traditional festive practices, Soni explained.
“It was amazing to actually see people come in, enjoy and feel at home even though it’s far away,”
ISA President, Jigyasa Soni, said. “When we talk about India, it’s overseas, and as an international student myself, it has been a challenge to actually experience my own native feeling. So getting it all together in one place was a good feeling.”
Special attire was also central to the event, with colorful and embellished kurtis and dupattas worn by women and kurtas and Indo-western outfits worn by men.
“I’m from Rajasthan, and because Rajasthan is a deserted area, it is filled with colors that humans wear,” Soni said. “So, because everything is sunny and brown and stuff, all the human colors add to get some good vibes and bring in positivity to the environment.”
The ISA highlighted surprise and suspense as their signature for this year with an unexpected return of the student organization to campus and surprise events throughout the academic year.
“ISA started [again] as randomly as it could have really started,” Soni said. “The idea actually popped up in the SPB carnival we ended up meeting there and we thought, ‘Can we host something like this and celebrate our culture as well?’”
ISA planned on spontaneous advertising techniques to create traction for their upcoming surprise events.
“We recently had a flash mob, which was like a surprise element to promote ISA and say, ‘ISA is back on campus’ after COVID,” Soni said. “There’s a lot of grandeur that’s coming, but we’ll keep it a secret.”
PHOTO BY ADRIAN JIMENEZ MORALES
On Oct. 9, the Oakview Hall walkway hosted a beautiful meeting before sundown. The Future Leader Dogs club at OU was represented by the organization’s president, Mackenzie Nichols, and Henry, a cute black Labrador puppy currently in training.
The Blind Leading Club is an organization that “selects students to raise puppies for one year as official Puppy Raisers for Leader Dogs for the Blind,” the club writes on its website. It encourages all students to participate, even with no knowledge of training.
The Michigan-based organization allows for students to have a companion throughout the year, and to grow along with them, while simultaneously spreading awareness of service dogs throughout campus.
The club invited incoming members to spread this newfound knowledge by drawing with chalk on the sidewalk, and as an extra incentive, Yates Cider Mill donuts and cider were shared.
The notices sent out to students prior to the event proved to be effective. “I heard about it through the Honors College, I received an email that said, ‘Honors College Announcements’ and I just read more into it,” Elizabeth Horne, a student, said after petting Henry.
“I heard it from my friend Ellie, who emailed me the brochure of the Honors College, and they have volunteering opportunities to get hours for the Honors College requirements,” Sara Bylon said.
As for her first thoughts on the club, “I think it’s amazing” Baylon said. “They are raising awareness for the blind and also for the dogs that help.”
Future Leader Dogs at OU hosts awareness
Story by Matilde Rabajoli
Photos by Coutney Blackett
Leader OU blindness awareness event
The club has been running for just a couple of years, and many dogs have been able to graduate into fully trained leader dogs for the visually impaired. “I think it’s important to acknowledge the different parts that go into disabled people and how we help them,” Bylon said.
“I really like dogs, and I didn’t know that campus buddies and puppy raisers were options they offered,” Horne said.
Nichols, the president of the club, shared a few words describing how members can become involved, along with some statistics stating the number of students, nationwide, that are in need of a service dog to navigate campuses properly.
“I like it, I’m glad it brings out everyone here,” Nick Devie, a student, said after drawing small symbols with chalk to represent the visually impaired and the club. “I think it’s a great experience for everyone.”
A pumpkin and dog bone painting event will be hosted to celebrate Halloween with the training dogs. The recreational event is also aimed at informing students on how they can contribute to helping individuals with visual impairments.
Events like these have taken the student organization from 160 members at the beginning of the semester to 270 after three meetings during the Fall.
After a day of playing with puppies and learning about accessibility on campus, attendees expressed interest in the upcoming events hosted by the organization “I am, I already signed up for the next three [meetings], because I love puppies and I love the cause,” Baylon said.
For more information on Future Leader Dogs at Oakland University, visit their GrizzOrgs page or their Instagram profile.
Design by Megan Judy
What makes music POP: Bridging the gap between alternative and mainstream
CHELSEA BOSSERT Arts Editor
On Oct. 11, 2024, Charli XCX released her “Brat” remix album, “Brat but it’s completely different but also still brat.” It’s a remix record that pays homage to the great remix records of the 90s, early 2000s and late 2010s — à la Bjork, Soulwax and SOPHIE. Charli’s record was going to always be a thing, regardless of whether or not “Brat” was successful, however, Charli’s power play lies in not only where she is now, but how she got there.
“Brat Summer” — to me at least — was a phenomenon that was not entirely unexpected. Charli XCX originally started out in the early 2010s as an emerging pop music sensation with songs like “Boom Clap,” but took a dive into alternative and electronic culture with the release of her more experimental album, “Pop 2.” This personal trend only escalated with collab-tracks with producers like SOPHIE, A.G. Cook and other EDM-auteurs.
Before the release of “Brat” and its rapid success, Charli only had a couple million monthly listeners on Spotify. These were mostly die hard stans and people who could not get Charli’s original work out of their heads. Now Charli has around 40 million monthly listeners on Spotify — and growing.
This is a phenomenon that has been happening for decades now: artists widely viewed as “alternative” achieve rapid success overnight and become popmainstays. But how does this happen?
Two factors can contribute to this: the scene in which the artist starts out with grows and evolves, or they could be found by a producer, talent or another artist that already made it and get elevated by them.
Sometimes both can happen. This is the case with System of a Down. Led by vocalist Serj Tankian, System was mostly confined to their recording studio, The Roxy and the surrounding underground metal scene in 1990s Los Angeles.
They were eventually discovered by rising music producer, Rick Rubin, who after hearing several demos and live shows from System, signed them in 1997. 90s Nu-Metal — an emerging genre at the time — blew up along with System. Songs like “Sugar” and “Chop Suey!” were indisputable classics.
This is a case where both factors happened. Other examples of this happening to bands are Nirvana’s grungy “Nevermind” in and 90s britpop stars Oasis and Blur with “Definitely Maybe” and “Parklife” respectively. Genres, trends and scenes come and go, but if bands grow out of those scenes and burst into mainstream music consciousness — they will
surpass their limits artistically.
Now that we know how these trends can uplift artists to the mainstream, one question remains. Who’s next?
We’ve seen this with artists today like Chappell Roan and Charli XCX, both who have taken advantage of modern trends in music in order to blow up. However, in order for there to be new artists to emerge into mainstream music consciousness, we need to find a burgeoning new music scene.
Enter plugg: a genre created out of a need for less thinking and more doing when it came to new ideas about rap. Instead of the booming 808s and claustrophobic hi-hats featured in a lot of modern trap and rage, Plugg opts for a more spaced, psychedelic and drug-y approach.
Plugg is a relatively new and steadily growing music scene that took shape in the early 2020s. While trap and rage are currently having their moments in mainstream hip-hop, it might be time for the next generation of producers and rappers to make new hits and top the Billboard charts.
While plugg is an exciting and fresh scene in the hip-hop community — it has the potential to fade fast. In order to keep scenes alive, bands have to leave and grow out of it. The future is uncertain, but great music almost certainly will come out of it.
What you should be watching on Netflix
MORGAN WARNEKE Content Editor
It’s no secret that streaming services have dominated television. Every time you open Netflix, you’re bombarded with what shows and movies are trending, what’s just been added and what they recommend you watch. Lucky for you, I’ve spent countless hours binge-watching anything Netflix has to offer me, so I can bring you some of my top recommendations.
Nobody Wants This (2024)
This show is true to its title. I’m not sure that anyone has ever requested a romcom about an agnostic sex podcaster (Kristen Bell) and a Jewish rabbi (Adam Brody), but we get to watch the complications of this unlikely couple unfold. I don’t find myself watching romance very often, and as someone who cringes at the overuse of internet slang in shows (there’s an entire episode about “the ick”), I was wary about this one. But after watching the entire season in two days, I was surprised by how much I enjoyed the writing and the characters. The first (and only) season consists of ten episodes that range between 20-30 minutes, which makes this a quick and easy watch. If you find yourself loving this one, you’ll be happy to hear that a
second season has been announced.
It’s What’s Inside (2024)
This movie is a mix of comedy, horror, sci-fi and mystery. A pre-wedding reunion consisting of college friends turns into a psychological nightmare when they opt into playing a game that slowly tears the group apart. I won’t spoil it for you, but we get a front-row seat to all of their good and (mostly) bad decisions. There’s a mix of both comedy and suspense, and you’ll definitely be googling the meaning of the ending once it’s over. It’s a quick hour and a half watch, but it’ll still have you yelling at your screen — you may even want to add it to your Letterboxd.
Better Call Saul (2015)
If you’re not familiar with the Breaking Bad series, this show follows Jimmy McGill (portrayed by Bob Odenkirk) through his evolution of scamming and scheming to taking on the persona of cartel lawyer Saul Goodman. We learn more about his character prior to the events of Breaking Bad, and we meet Kim Wexler (Rhea Seehorn) — fellow lawyer, love interest and confidant. If you are a fan of Breaking Bad, you’ll be happy to know that there are appearances from Gus Fring (Giancarlo Esposito), Mike Ehrmantraut (Jonathan Banks) and Hector Salamanca (Mark Margolis). This show
wrapped up in 2022 with its sixth season, but by the end, you’ll want more.
And of course, Halloween movies!
If you’re a fan of Halloween and want to watch a horror movie before the 31st arrives, you’re in luck. Netflix has just added an impressive list of scary movies to its catalog, including Halloween (2018), Scream (2022) and It (2019). These are arguably some of the best movies from these franchises, so watch them while you can! Clowns, knives, masks and blood are perfect ways to get into the spirit of the spooky season.
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Voting guide for the upcoming election
MALLORY WALIGORA Political Editor
When is the election?
Election day is Tuesday, Nov. 5. Voters can go to their assigned polling place from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. You must be in line by 8 p.m. to vote. Plan your day accordingly, as most adults attend the polls after work at 5 p.m.
How can I vote?
You can vote in person or absentee. Michigan also offers early voting, so you can also vote during the early voting period that runs Oct. 26 through Nov. 5. Early voting is helpful if you’re busy on election day or prefer avoiding the crowds. There are a lot of options available, so do what’s best for you.
What’s on the ballot?
There’s not just a presidential election to vote for on this ballot. You can view what will be at your precinct ahead of time online based on your location. Elissa Slotkin will be facing Mike Rogers in a Senate race that’s made national headlines. Oakland University is split between the 10th and 11th congressional districts. The House of Representative candidates for the 10th district include Carl J. Marlinga and John James. The candidates for the 11th include Haley Stevens and Nick Somberg. There are also various State Boards, trustees and county positions on the ballot. Do I need to register to vote?
Yes, you need to register to vote before actually voting. Your local township clerk’s office allows inperson voting registration up to 8 p.m. on election
day, but you should do it beforehand. The deadline is Oct. 21. for registering to vote online. Absentee ballots can be requested online through Nov. 1.
I don’t follow politics
More than half of Americans (58%) have been following news about the 2024 election very or fairly closely. You may be part of the other 42% who don’t, which is okay. Spend some time reading up on the news and researching the ballot.
What kind of research should I do ahead of time?
Reading the news is a good start. Try to find unbiased sources and read opinions from both sides of the debate. A great way to research the candidates on the ballot is by looking up their websites. On the campaign website, you can find information about
their platform and what issues they’re campaigning on. Although these websites portray the candidate in a good light, they can provide you with some information about the candidate and what they plan to do in office.
Why should I vote?
Your voice needs to be heard. Participating in democracy is your civic responsibility, but also these decisions may affect your future. If that doesn’t convince you, Oakland County is a vital county for the presidential election, so your vote does matter.
USA Today has described Oakland as one of the seven most pivotal counties in America. In 2022, Politico described Oakland County as the “key to winning just about anything statewide in Michigan.” So not to toot our own horn, but we are important — therefore your vote is too.
But both candidates are bad
This is a common (and often valid) complaint amongst voters. What issues matter to you most? What candidate aligns most with your values? For some, this is a lesser of two evils option, but that still means there is a better candidate in your opinion.
What other resources are there?
The Michigan Voter Information Center has lots of important information. There are also lots of other organizations you can find online including Vote411, Michigan Voting, Rock the Vote and your local clerk’s office.
Politicians fight over Hurricane Helene
NICHOLAS KABLAK Political Reporter
Hurricane Helene has carved a path of destruction through many parts of the Southern United States. Unsurprisingly, the public conversation has turned political, with candidates vying for advantages in the upcoming presidential election.
As of Oct. 14, Hurricane Helene’s estimated death toll has surpassed 230. The turmoil caused by this destructive storm has created a need for a federal response. The federal government’s actions have drawn criticism from former President Donald Trump and his campaign.
“They have left Americans to drown in North Carolina, Georgia, Tennessee, Alabama and elsewhere in the South,” Trump said in a post on X.
Although Trump pointed out that the Biden administration has been failing to respond to the hurricane, President Biden has refuted the claims. Biden stated that he and his administration are doing all they can to help and accused Trump of lying.
“I don’t care about what he says about me, but I care what he communicates to the people in need. He implies that we’re not doing everything possible,” Biden said.
Trump’s vice-presidential nominee JD Vance
also criticized the Biden administration — in particular Vice President Harris. He criticized Harris by connecting the Hurricane relief effort to the migrant crisis.
“She fought very hard to make sure that COVID relief money went to illegal aliens to the tune of $1,000 per person, and she shows up — to survey the storm damage — a couple of days ago and she said says that ‘we’re going to give $750 to the people suffering from these devastating storms,’” Vance said.
Harris claimed that these kinds of remarks were immoral and made the crisis pointlessly political. She also claimed the accusations coming from the Trump administration were false.
“The reality is that FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency) has so many resources that are available to folks who desperately need them,” Harris said.
Beyond the back and forth between the presidential candidates, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has also come under fire. DeSantis allegedly ignored Biden and Harris’ phone calls concerning the relief effort, according to a White House spokesperson.
“It is selfish, and it is about political gamesmanship instead of doing the job you took an oath to do,” Harris said.
DeSantis denied that any of that happened. He claimed that he was unaware that they called. DeSantis also avoided making any political remarks about the Biden administration.
“We got the approvals that we need. If there’s something else that we need, you know I’ll hop on the phone very quickly, whether that’s the FEMA administrator or the president,” DeSantis said.
Trump has been visiting many towns affected by the hurricane. Trump has claimed that he is trying to work with Elon Musk to get Starlink, a type of satellite internet, in affected areas.
“We’re trying to get Starlink in there as soon as possible because they have no communication throughout the region,” Trump said.
Biden and Harris also visited to survey the damages and have made pledges to help the people affected by the storms.
Hurricane Helene has been extraordinarily devastating and many still worry about the prospects of the regions that have been affected. One reason for the worry is that a new storm, Hurricane Milton, hit Florida on Oct. 9.
The political implications of Hurricane Helene could have a profound effect on the election. It is unclear if Hurricane Milton will have similar political consequences.
PHOTO COURTESY OF THE AMERICAN CIVIL LIBERTIES UNION
Michigan Senate race: Meet the candidates
MALLORY WALIGORA Political Editor
In the 2024 Senate race, Elissa Slotkin and Mike Rogers are competing for Michigan’s vote. Rodgers is attempting to become the first Republican to win a Michigan Senate race in 30 years.
Elissa Slotkin is a U.S. Congresswoman representing the 7th District of Michigan, which includes Oakland County. She formerly served as a national security official. She is a House Armed Services Committee member and the Vice Chair of the Intelligence & Special Operations Subcommittee. She is also a member of the House Agriculture Committee, serving on the Conservation, Research and Biotechnology Subcommittee.
“[Her issues] focus on how we can bring critical manufacturing and jobs back to mid-Michigan, lower the cost of prescription drugs and healthcare, protect Michigan’s lakes and drinking water, win the competition with China for our national and economic security and honor our commitment to our veterans,” her House biography reads.
Mike Rogers is also a U.S. Congressman, having served in Michigan’s 8th District from 2001-2015. After serving in the Army, he became a Special Agent in the FBI. Rogers then served as a State Senator, and afterward, he represented Michigan in Congress. He
served on the House Energy and Commerce Committee. Additionally, he served as the Chairman of the House Intelligence Committee.
His issues include the cost of living and the economy, concerns over Communist China, securing the border and restoring law and order.
“We can stop the spending in Washington that drove up prices. We can prioritize an all-of-the-above American energy policy that lowers gas prices and strengthens our hand with China. As someone who served in our nation’s military, I know we can secure our border with barriers, technology and enforcing the law,” Roger’s campaign website reads.
Rogers has been officially endorsed by former President Donald Trump, which boosted support among Republican voters from 27% to 67%. This is a dramatic change in support, and a Trump endorsement has had major effects on Roger’s trajectory.
“It’s unbelievable … A 40-percentage point bounce? It shows you how strong it is. I’m surprised it’s that much, but if you look at whom the endorsement is coming from, maybe I shouldn’t be,” Steve Mitchell of Mitchell Research & Communications said.
In this election, Rogers will follow closely with the Trump outcome in Michigan — essentially the outcomes in both will likely go hand in hand.
“Michigan will be a state where our outcome in the Michigan Senate race will be probably very closely tied to President Trump’s outcome in Michigan … Trump’s number and Mike Rogers’ number will be very close,” Montana Sen. Steve Daines, chairman of the National Republican Senatorial Committee, said.
According to ABC News, Slotkin is polling ahead of Rogers with 48.3% compared to 43.7%. Most other polls have Slotkin favored in the race.
Both candidates have agreed to two debates. The first debate was on Oct. 8 in Grand Rapids. The conversation was a mainly civil debate focusing on topics such as national security, Medicare, and abortion.
The second debate is set to be on Oct. 14 at 7 p.m. in Southfield. The debate will be hosted by WXYZ-TV.
House of Representatives passes bill to sanction Chinese leaders
NICHOLAS KABLAK Political Reporter
The U.S. House of Representatives recently passed the STOP CCP Act, a bill that would force the president to sanction Chinese leaders. The bill largely split the House along partisan lines and caused debates about U.S.-Chinese relations.
The bill would force the president to block any Chinese leader from owning property or entering the United States who was involved in violating Hong Kong’s independence, being in conflict with Taiwan or oppressing different groups in China, such as Uyghur Muslims.
Rep. Lisa McClain (R-Mich.) along with several other Republicans and a couple of Democrats introduced the bill. The bill passed 243-174 in the House and will next be voted on in the Senate.
Those favoring the bill argued that it was necessary to punish Chinese leaders for breaking international norms. Those in opposition to the bill argued that punishing Chinese leaders would hurt U.S. diplomatic efforts.
“It is critical to use targeted sanctions to hold these top party leaders accountable,” Rep. James Moylan (RGuam) said.
Moylan and others who support the bill have brought up how China’s leadership has been increasingly encroaching on Taiwanese territory. He also mentioned how Hong Kong has lost most of its autonomy to China and that China has been brutally oppressing minority groups.
Those in opposition to the bill do not disagree that
these things are happening. They instead believe that sanctioning Chinese leaders would make it harder to negotiate with them while also failing to stop the Chinese government from acting immorally.
“I oppose this dangerous and counterproductive bill which will do nothing to help the Uyghurs, the Hong Kongers and the people of Taiwan while making it incredibly difficult to engage China on U.S. interests,”
Rep. Gregory Meeks (D-N.Y.) said.
Meeks brought up how the Biden administration has used open channels of communication with China and how he believes this is a source of success. He also referenced how necessary open communication has been in the past, invoking memories of the Cuban Missile Crisis.
Those in favor of the bill find this strategy to be a
weakness, calling it too lenient with America’s enemies.
“Sadly, I fear our adversaries have grown to depend on the Biden/Harris administration flexibility. Just last night the CCP launched an ICBM (intercontinental ballistic missile) near my district of Guam,” Moylan said.
Still, the opposition insists that risking a breakdown in communication is risking war. They are willing to throw aside getting retribution on individual Chinese officials for the sake of diplomacy. Meeks even brought up that China’s last defense minister refused to meet with U.S. officials because of sanctions.
“If we want to keep the American people safe and lower the chance of an accidental crisis … we have to talk to China,” Meeks said.
Those in support of the bill say that communication has already failed, and that the U.S. needs to act, while also stating that the bill does not outright prohibit communication.
“There’s nothing in the bill that says we can’t have diplomacy. The bill says we don’t need to fund our destroyers. I’m all for talking. How’s that working for us?” McClain said.
President Joe Biden’s administration openly opposed the bill.
“The legislation’s mandatory sanctions against PRC leadership would likely cut off any channels of communication between our two governments … thereby destabilizing U.S.-PRC relations,” the statement of administration policy read.
The STOP CCP Act brings up essential debates about American foreign policy. It is yet to be announced when the bill will be brought to the Senate.
PHOTO COURTESY OF TAIPEI TIMES
PHOTO COURTESY OF POLITICO
Oakland women’s basketball aims to bounce back with Tungate’s return
KURT SZYMANSKI Sports Editor
As the 2024-25 season quickly approaches, the Oakland Golden Grizzlies women’s basketball team is not just battling opponents — they are battling expectations.
A major shift for the team this season is the return of head coach Jeff Tungate, who missed most of last season due to a medical leave of absence.
If you need a refresher, Oakland finished the regular season with an 8-12 conference record, which placed the team eighth in the Horizon League regular season standings last year. In the Horizon League playoffs, the Golden Grizzlies lost to the Northern Kentucky Norse in the first round.
Team Overview and Key Players
Like the men’s basketball roster, the women’s roster has had many moving pieces this offseason.
One of Oakland’s key roster losses is Brooke Quarles-Daniels, who now plays for the Michigan Wolverines. Last season, Quarles-Daniels led the Golden Grizzlies in points, assists, rebounds and steals. Additionally, she was the only player to earn all-league honors for Oakland.
In addition to Quarles-Daniels, Linda van Schaik and Markyia McCormick are no longer on the roster as they have run out of eligibility. Van Schaik and McCormick were the Golden Grizzlies’ second and third-highest scorers, respectively,
behind Quarles-Daniels.
Looking at the current roster, returner Maddy Skorupski will likely be one of the Golden Grizzlies’ most critical players this season.
Skorupski saw a steady increase in minutes as last season progressed and only improved with increased opportunities. Notably, in Oakland’s only playoff matchup and final game of the season, Skorupski scored a career-high of 22 points.
If Skorupski can continue to produce at a high level for the Golden Grizzlies, and she will have her chance with how the roster has panned out, she has the potential to finish the season with AllLeague honors.
Another player to watch this season is Dani Grim. The transfer from Mercyhurst had a solid season for the Lakers last year, averaging the most rebounds, steals and blocks on her team.
If Grim’s skills translate to the Golden Grizzlies’ roster, she could be a crucial asset on both ends of the court. As one of only three seniors on the roster, Grim will likely start for the team. If she doesn’t, she will undoubtedly be an important player off the bench.
Lianna Baxter is another crucial piece on the roster for this upcoming season. Despite missing all of last season with injury, Baxter, just one of the five returning players from last season, will likely anchor down as the Golden Grizzlies’ starting center this upcoming season.
Baxter is also just one of two centers on this team. Combine that with her seniority as the longesttenured Golden Grizzly on the roster, and you will have a player who will be vital in setting the tone for Oakland.
Season Prediction
Although anything is possible in the Horizon League, the outlook on the Golden Grizzlies season isn’t the best.
Considering most of the all-league players from the previous season have remained on their respective teams, Oakland’s ceiling is a secondround appearance in the Horizon League playoffs, and its floor is a first-round exit.
Suppose the team wants to avoid another early exit from the Horizon League playoffs and finish with a winning record. In that case, they must build team chemistry early and remain consistent all season under Tungate.
Last season, the Golden Grizzlies’ longest win streak included two consecutive wins early in the season against non-conference opponents. If Oakland can piece together those consistent wins when it matters in conference play, everything could fall into place for a successful season.
The Golden Grizzlies will tip off their season in an exhibition match against Rochester Christian University on Saturday, Oct. 26. Although the team will play on the road, Oakland is a mere 10-minute drive away from their first opponent of the season.
Oakland men’s soccer falls on the road to DePaul Blue Demons 3-1
EVAN BLANCHARD Sports Reporter
Oakland University’s men’s soccer team fell on the road to the DePaul University Blue Demons on Tuesday, Oct. 8, in Chicago. The loss marks the second in a row for the Golden Grizzlies.
Oakland came into Chicago off a loss to conference opponent Milwaukee, looking to get back in the win column against a Blue Demons team that was returning home from a road trip to Omaha, Nebraska, to take on the Creighton Blue Jays. DePaul had the momentum on their side after coming off a win against Creighton and was able to put the game away late in the second half.
For most of the game, both teams were locked in a tie, with neither side able to find the net. DePaul went on the attack first, with two shots from Noeh Hernandez sailing out of bounds to the top left of the net. Oakland responded with a string of four shots in about three minutes, none of which found the mark.
It was a particularly frustrating day for both offenses in the first half, as neither team established great control early on. DePaul had a slight advantage in the first half with eight shots to Oakland’s five, but Oakland had one more corner kick, earning five to the Blue Demon’s four.
The second half was more of the same. Again,
DePaul put pressure on Oakland first as two shots by Logan Finnegan missed their mark.
The Golden Grizzlies had a sustained attack, beginning at the 68-minute mark. Unfortunately, junior forward Milan Dajic’s shot flew out right, and DePaul’s Santiago Davila saved junior defender Jace Foster’s attempt.
A foul by the Blue Demons’ Max Padua gave Oakland’s sophomore forward Andrew Darakdjian a
PHOTO BY KATIE REID
free kick. Still, the Golden Grizzlies couldn’t capitalize. A minute later, DePaul finally found the net with a goal from Keagan Pace. OU pushed the field and got a shot off from sophomore forward Andriy Bilous, but it missed wide on top.
DePaul again found the net five minutes later, this time from Hernandez, making it a 2-0 game with just seven minutes remaining.
Finally, the Golden Grizzlies were able to sneak in a goal themselves from Bilous, assisted by senior midfielder Francesco Mazzei.
However, the late goal would amount to nothing; DePaul would score less than a minute later to go up 3-1 and ice the game. It was a frustrating loss for the Golden Grizzlies, who took only two fewer shots than the Blue Demons all game.
It was the eighth time this year that the Golden Grizzlies scored a goal or less in a game, making their record 0-6-2 in such games. Going forward, the team must find ways to capitalize on their scoring opportunities. Losing defensive games like this is hard to stomach, especially when you shut the other team out the entire first half.
Adversity is nothing new to these boys, though. After starting 0-4, they went 3-0-2 in their next five. Currently, on an 0-2 skid, another winning streak could be in the works. Next up is a date with conference opponent Wright State on Saturday, Oct. 19 at home.
Tigers lose in five games to Cleveland in ALDS
EVAN BLANCHARD Sports Reporter
The magical run of the 2024 Detroit Tigers has come to an end.
The Tigers fell to the Cleveland Guardians in the American League Divisional Series three games to two. Cleveland will advance to face the AL East champion New York Yankees in the American League Conference Series.
Despite the sadness that the team and all Tigers fans face, this season will go down as extremely memorable for Detroit fans. This team overcame a massive deficit in win totals in early August and fought its way into a Wild Card berth. They defeated the powerhouse Houston Astros and brought the Guardians to the brink of elimination.
After making the playoffs for the first time in ten years, fans won’t soon forget this team’s miraculous final few months. To commemorate them, let’s walk back the top five moments for the Tigers from the playoff run.
5. Zach McKinstry ties Game 4 of ALDS with a solo home run
Game 4 was probably the best game of the divisional series against Cleveland. The scoring started early, with the Guardians driving in a run in the first and rookie Trey Sweeney tying it in the second.
In the fifth inning, Guardians third baseman Jose Ramirez cranked a home run to left center off Tiger reliever Tyler Holton. All the energy left Comerica Park.
Only to be restored in the very next inning by McKinstry. Cleveland’s Cade Smith, a dominant reliever in his own right, gave up a home run to McKinstry on a 3-1 pitch, tying the game at 2-2. It was only McKinstry’s 5th homerun of the entire year.
And Comerica erupted.
4. Skubal carves up Cleveland in Game 2 of ALDS
Enough can’t be said about the year that Tarik Skubal has. The powerful lefty just put together one of the most complete, dominant pitching seasons in Detroit history and will likely be rewarded with a Cy Young award.
Skubal dominated Cleveland from start to finish, going seven innings of shutout ball with eight strikeouts. He only allowed three hits and let up no runs. When Cleveland threatened in the 5th and 6th innings, Skubal immediately got the Tigers out of the inning with ground outs to double plays.
Every Detroiter should invest in a Skubal jersey. The man deserves fans’ undying praise.
3. Wenceel Pérez takes the lead in Game 4 of ALDS
So many Tigers rookies had big moments in the playoffs, and this one was really up there.
With a tied game at 2-2 in the top of the sixth inning, Detroit was looking to reclaim the lead with the top of the order coming up. Kerry Carpenter led off with a walk before a Matt Vierling strikeout and a Riley Greene walk. After Colt Keith struck out, Detroit called on Pérez to hit for Spencer Torkelson.
With two men on and two outs, Pérez singled in a run, giving Detroit a vital 3-2 lead late in the game.
2. Andy Ibáñez hits a bases-clearing double in the eighth inning of Game 2 of the AL Wild Card Game
After a Parker Meadows home run in the sixth inning of Game 2 against Houston in the Wild Card, Detroit had a 1-0 lead. Reliever Jackson Jobe of Detroit quickly handed the lead over to the Astros in the seventh, letting up two hits and two runs in the frame.
In a postseason defined by resilience and grittiness, the team rose to the occasion and displayed just how tough they were. The top of the eighth started strong with two singles after a Meadows strikeout, and Carpenter was able to score on a wild pitch. A strikeout from Greene and
a walk each from Keith and Torkelson loaded the bases for Detroit with two outs.
Manager A.J. Hinch called on rookie righty Ibáñez to face the left-handed reliever Josh Hader.
In his first at-bat of the game, Ibáñez roped a double down the third-base line on a 1-2 pitch, clearing the bases and giving Detroit a 5-2 lead.
Detroit took the game and won their first postseason series since 2013.
1. Kerry Carpenter hits a go-ahead ninthinning home run in Game 2 of ALDS
Game 2 in Cleveland was tight from start to finish. Skubal took the mound for the Tigers and excelled, pitching seven innings of shutout ball to go with eight strikeouts and only three hits. The Guardians shut down the Tigers’ bats until Emmanuel Clase, Cleveland’s star reliever, took the bump in the ninth inning with a score of 0-0.
Clase retired Detroit’s first two batters, but then Jake Rogers and Sweeney, the 8th and 9th hitters in Detroit’s lineup, hit singles.
With two men on and two outs, Carpenter came to the plate, and on a 2-2 pitch, he sent Clase’s slider 423 feet deep into the stands at Progressive Field.
Detroit reliever Beau Brieske finished the game in the bottom of the ninth, and the Tigers came out of Cleveland with a tied series at 1-1.
