Final Stats

Kent, Ohio- Despite two home runs from both Erica McNew and Dara Toman, the Cleveland State Vikings were only able to come away with one win Tuesday afternoon, splitting a mid-week doubleheader with the Kent State Golden Flash. The Vikings took game one of the day 6-3 before falling 5-4 in game two.

In game one of the afternoon CSU used a complete game from freshman Susan Knight in the pitching circle, and one home run each by McNew and Toman, to help take down the Golden Flash 6-3.

Despite Kent State getting an early 1-0 lead off one hit and two Cleveland State errors in the bottom first inning the freshman Knight didn't get rattled. Over her seven complete innings of work she allowed just five hits and three runs (two earned), while picking up five strike outs along the way to improve to 13-9 on the year.

Even with the early deficit, with Knight pitching well the offense was able to push back strong, taking a lead in the third inning and never looking back.

Redshirt Freshman Erica McNew took that lead for CSU in the third, as she drilled a two-out home run to left field to score Darien Ward who walked earlier in the inning and give the Vikings a 2-1 lead.

Cleveland State was able to extend that lead to 3-1 in the fourth inning. Caila Ferro led off the frame and was hit by a pitch to put one runner on base. From first she was able to advance to third on an error by the third baseman on a ball hit by Nena Doran. With two outs Alyson Broschk then brought Ferro home with a single to the third base to give CSU the two run lead. 

After Knight was hit by a pitch and Broschk reached on a fielder's choice, Senior Dara Toman completed the scoring for CSU in the sixth inning. The Horizon League's career leader in home runs blasted another one, a three run shot to center field to put the Vikings in front 6-2 in the eventual 6-3 victory.

McNew and Toman were nowhere near done with their power display after game one, as they each hit a second homer in game two, the 5-4 CSU loss.

The scoring came early in game two for both teams. Caila Ferrogot the Vikings on the board first in the top half of the first inning, as she knocked an RBI single to center field to score Toman who had reached base from being hit by a pitch earlier in the inning.

Although CSU scored first, Kent State responded, scoring four runs in the bottom of the first inning and a fifth run in the second inning to take a 5-1 lead they would not give back.

Despite the deficit Toman and McNew tried to ignite a charge, as they each hit solo home runs in the third and seventh innings respectively to pull the game close. Toman's third inning shot to center field was her 12th of the season and the 57th of her career. She continues to improve on her Horizon League leading career total.

With the score at 5-2 McNew came up to bat in the seventh inning and equaled Toman with her second homer of the day to left field. The home run for McNew was the 17th of her incredible freshman campaign. She continues to lead the Vikings in batting average (421), home runs (17) and RBI's (36).

Katelind Phillips scored the final run of the day for CSU as she hit an RBI to left field to make it a 5-4 final.

Cleveland State will conclude its 2013 home season this Thursday with a single game vs. Robert Morris at 6:00 p.m. at Viking Field.