Contact: Jeff Sattora
SETTING THE SCENE:The CSU softball team will have three games this week, as they host their final home Horizon League games of the 2013 regular season vs. Valparaiso Saturday and Sunday. The two teams will first play a doubleheader Saturday at 1:00 p.m., followed by a single game Sunday at noon.
This is a big series in the Horizon League standings for both teams, as Cleveland State enters the weekend at 17-21 on the year and third in the league standings at 8-6, while Valparaiso is right behind them at 23-21 on the year and 8-7 in the league standings.
LAST TIME OUT:CSU is coming off a busy week that saw the team play eight games in six days, going 5-3 in that stretch. The Vikings began the stretch with a three game midweek sweep of Detroit Wednesday and Thursday. CSU then dropped two of three games to Loyola over the weekend before splitting a Monday doubleheader with Green Bay.
Senior Dara Tomanhad the highlight of the week for CSU, as a three run homer Monday vs. Green Bay gave Toman both the Horizon League career home run record (53) and Cleveland State career runs scored record (128). For the eight game stretch Toman hit .545 (12-22) with four home runs and 11 RBI.
Susan Knightled the way on the mound for CSU, going 4-2 on the week. Knight pitched 33.2 innings, allowing 33 hits and 15 runs (12 earned runs). She also struck out 21 batters and had a 2.53 ERA.
RECOGNIZING THE SENIORS: Sunday's game at noon will be `Senior Day' for three members of the CSU softball team, Afton Allred, Caila Ferro and Dara Toman. Since stepping foot on campus in 2010, these three seniors have been valuable parts to a successful Viking program. Coming into this weekend's series the trio has been a part of 107 wins for the green and white.
CLIMBING THE CHARTS: Senior Dara Tomanbroke two Cleveland State records this past Monday when she blasted a three-run homer to set the new Horizon League home run record (53) and Cleveland State career runs scored record (128). Heading into this weekend Toman now has 54 career homers and 130 career runs scored. With two RBI's vs. Youngstown State April 13, Toman also moved into first place on the Cleveland State career RBI list with 133. She currently has 144 career RBI's.
SHINING KNIGHT: Freshman Susan Knightis leading the Vikings on the mound with 11 wins on the year. In 28 total appearances in 2013 Knight has an 11-9 record with a 2.93 ERA and a team-leading 99 strikeouts.
RADJEN STEPPING UP: Alex Radjenhas been one of the Vikings' most impressive pitchers in 2013. She has a 4-5 record on the season, with a team and league leading 1.59 ERA. In 61.2 innings of action she 56 strikeouts and has allowed just 14 earned runs.
McNEW LEADING THE WAY: CSU catcher Erica McNewis currently leading the Vikings offensively in 2013. On the year she leads CSU in batting average (.417), hits (45), home runs (15) and RBI's (33).
VIKINGS HIT THE LONG BALL:The Vikings' team is leading the Horizon League in home runs with 39. Nine players have at least one home run.
NEXT UP:Looking ahead to next week CSU will close the regular season with seven games, two at home and five on the road. The Vikings will have two mid-week doubleheaders, first on the road at Kent State Tuesday beginning at 3:00 p.m. before a home doubleheader vs. Robert Morris Thursday at 5:00 p.m.
Cleveland State will then finish the regular season with three games on the road in weekend action at UIC. The two teams will first play a doubleheader beginning at 12:00 p.m. CT Saturday, before finishing with a single game Sunday at 12:00 p.m. CT.
2013 SEASON BREAKDOWN BY POSITION: (2013 stats in parentheses)
Pitchers- With only Sara Shields (2-2) returning to the Vikings who picked up a win last season, CSU is looking for a balanced team effort on the mound in 2013. Head Coach Angie Nicholson mentioned four players who she expects to be factors for CSU in the pitching spot in Sara Shields and Alex Radjen (4-5) as returners, and Briana Combs (0-5) and Susan Knight (11-9)as freshman.
Catcher- Erica McNew (.417 BA, 15 HR, 33 RBI) will be leading the way at this position for the Vikings this season. After starting the first seven games of the year last year in the green and white (batting .136), she went down with a torn ACL and is ready to bounce back in 2013. Freshman Lauren Lookis also looking to compete for time behind the plate this year.
Infield- Dara Toman (.378 BA 9 HR, 28 RBI), a 2012 Horizon League First Team selection, and Nena Doran (.241 BA), a 2012 All-Newcomer League selection will be returning in 2013 to lead a group with high expectations.
Toman led the CSU last season in batting average (.405), home runs (19), runs batted in (42), slugging percentage (.892), and on-base percentage (.553) and will be looking to do the same in 2013. While Doran, who filled in at shortstop for an injured Cynthia Woodard, was seventh in the Horizon League in assists with 94.
Filling out the infield is expected to be Cynthia Woodard (.252 BA, 30 hits) at second and Janessa Rivera-Keahi (.224 BA)at shortstop.
Outfield- Senior Caila Ferro (.241 BA)is expecting to lead the way for the Vikings in the outfield. After hitting .266 in 52 games last season she unfortunately went down with an injury and is ready to bounce back this year as a senior.
Others who will be competing to fill starting roles alongside Woodard are freshman Katelind Phillips (.230 BA, 7 doubles), Alyson Broschk (.238 BA, 25 hits), Darien Ward(.234 BA), and Allisha Silva, as well as Afton Allred, and Hannah Yoe as returning players.
