Box Score

Contact: Tim Ertle

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COLUMBIA, S.C. - Despite turning a triple play in the opener and receiving strong efforts from newcomers and a handful of returning players with different roles in 2012, the Vikings dropped their first two games of the season on Friday (Feb. 10) at the Palmetto Classic, hosted by the University of South Carolina.

Cleveland State fell to Western Kentucky 4-3 in the opener before dropping the second contest to Winthrop, 3-1.

In the first game of the day, CSU fell behind quickly. Western Kentucky's Shauna Sadler was issued a walk by CSU's ace Megan Bashak. She later came all the way around to score the first run of the game.

The Hilltoppers widened the gap in the top of the second when they again got the leadoff hitter aboard and she too came around to score, helped in large part to a CSU error. It could have been worse if it weren't for a triple play turned in by the Vikings.

With the bases loaded and nobody out, WKU was looking for a big inning. Olivia Watkins lined out to third basemen Nena Doranwho stepped on third and threw across the diamond to first basement Dara Toman who stepped on the bag to complete the rare feat.

After making the big play defensively, Doran sparked the offense in the home half of the second.

She singled and advanced on a sacrifice bunt by second basemen Andrea Nagy. Junior Caila Ferro, who the coaching staff is high on after a strong offseason, belted a two-run homer - the first of her career - to even the score at 2-2. 

WKU responded with a two-run fourth inning, propelled by Karavin Dew bunting for a hit to start the inning. She stole second and Bashak put the next hitter, Preslie Cruce, on base by hitting her with a pitch. Both came around to score to stake the Hilltoppers to a 4-2 lead.

The score stayed that way until the bottom of the seventh when Cleveland State inched closer.

Ferro doubled to start the inning before the next two hitters struck out. Alicia Nichols drew a base on balls to bring the winning run to the plate.

With two outs, freshman shortstop Cynthia Woodard singled through the ride side to plate Ferro. Nichols, one of the faster players on the team, tried to make her way to third but was gunned out by the right fielder, Shawna Sadler, to end the game.

With the error in the second inning, Bashak was charged with three runs. She scattered six hits and walked a pair while striking out three.

In the second game, Ferro and Doran again led the way offensively.

Ferro was 2-3 while Doran hit her first career homer that accounted for CSU's lone run. Unfortunately for the Vikings, it wasn't enough to support starting pitcher Alex Radjen who was making her collegiate debut.

The Vikings took a 1-0 lead in the top of the fourth with a Doran solo shot to left. Ferro followed with a single but the Vikings couldn't push another run across.

Winthrop countered in the home half of the fourth with a pair of runs.

McKenzie Corn singled to left and was moved up on a sacrifice bunt. A single put runners at the corners with just one out. The next hitter walked to load the bases, and another single plated a pair and gave the Eagles a 2-1 lead.

The Vikings went in order in the fifth and Winthrop added a run in their part of the inning. CSU went one-two-three again in the sixth before threatening in the seventh.

Ferro hit a one-out double and moved to third on a Nagy single. The go-ahead run was at the plate but a foul out and a strikeout let the Eagles off the hook and ended the game.

Radjen worked six innings and allowed three runs, all of them earned. She gave up five hits and walked three while recording four strikeouts.

Ferro finished 4-6 on Friday while driving in two runs and scoring a pair. Doran was 2-6 with two runs and a RBI. Nichols and Woodard each had two hits while Nagy and Gabby Gillilan both singled.

The Vikings will finish the Palmetto Classic with one game on Saturday (Feb. 11) and conclude with a contest on Sunday (Feb. 12). Tomorrow, CSU will take on Tennessee State at 5:00 p.m. before battling the host Gamecocks on Sunday at 12:30 p.m.