GAME #1
vs. Bucknell
February 8, 2014
9:00 a.m.
GAME #2
vs. Bowling Green
February 8, 2014
11:00 a.m.
GAME #3
vs. Canisius
February 9, 2014
3:00 p.m.
GAME #4
vs. Robert Morris
February 9, 2014
5:00 p.m.
Location: Krenzler Field- Cleveland, Ohio
SETTING THE SCENE: The Vikings will open the 2014 season on Saturday (Feb. 8) and Sunday (Feb. 9) at home, competing in the CSU Dome Tournament at Krenzler Field. CSU will host a twin bill against Bucknell at 9:00 a.m. and Bowling Green to follow at 11:00 a.m. On Sunday, CSU will host Canisius at 3:00 p.m. and Robert Morris at 5:00 p.m.
CSU DOME TOURNAMENT: This will be the second year the team will play inside the dome over at Krenzler, CSU's soccer field. The Vikings' record last year at the tournament was 3-1. CSU shutout Bucknell 3-0 and won 6-2 over BU on day two. The team also defeated Canisius, 7-4.
A NEW ERA: The Vikings hired a new head coach in Becky Norris in the off season and CSU has two new assistants that joined Norris in Lloydene Searle and Beth Golitko. CSU last season finished with a 22-27 overall record and went .500 in the Horizon League (11-11). The Vikings roster is a young group heading into 2014. Cleveland State will have two seniors, and three juniors that will bring a leadership role to the team.
SEASON PREVIEW BY POSITION:
Pitchers- The Vikings have three pitchers that they will use in their rotation, as three returning pitchers will toe the rubber. Senior Sara Shields, junior Alex Radjen, and sophomore Susan Knight will pitch in 2014. As a rotation in 2013, CSU had an excellent 2.92 earned run average.
Knight had a great season last year posting a 16-11 record, with a 2.67 ERA. She appeared in 36 games and started 23. Knight also threw 16 complete games for the Vikings and pitched 194 innings. Her strikeout to walk ratio was an impressive 131/55. Radjen also had a very nice season. She had a 2.27 earned run average and started in 19 games in 26 appearances. She struck out 68 batters on the year. Opponents batted .251 against the four starters.
Catchers- Sophomore Erica McNew and freshmen Olivia Wulfhoop and Allie Scali will handle the catching for the Vikings. McNew put up fantastic numbers a year ago, hitting a team leading .413. She played in all 49 games for the Vikings and had 143 at bats. She led the team with 18 homeruns and 44 RBI. McNew had 59 hits and led the team in on-base percentage (.503). Her slugging percentage was second best on the team (.811). Defensively, she had 256 put-outs and assisted on 35 outs. Her fielding percentage averaged out to .960.
Wulfhoop and Scali will look to contribute at catcher as well for coach Norris.
Infield- The Vikings have a young infield heading into this season, but CSU will look to provide great defense. The Vikings have three veterans returning in senior Hannah Yoe, junior Nena Doran, and sophomore Katelind Phillips. This group will be joined by freshmen Mel Woodard, Taylor Wawrowski, and Katelynn Thomas who will look to provide a role at their infield positions.
Outfield- Anchoring the outfield will be senior Janessa Rivera-Keahi, sophomore Alisha Silva, and sophomore Alyson Broschk. Freshman Sidney Morgan will also look to play a role on the team.
Rivera-Keahi started all 49 games and had 21 hits on the year. She also laced four doubles and drove in 12 runs. Broschk hit 20 RBI, eight doubles, two homeruns, and had 34 hits last season.
NEXT UP: The Vikings will head south to Charlotte, N.C. to play in a two- day tournament Saturday and Sunday (Feb. 15-16). CSU will face Drexel and then Charlotte on Saturday (Feb. 15). First pitch will be at 10:00 a.m. EST and game two against Charlotte will begin at 12:00 p.m. EST. CSU will stay in Charlotte to play against Seton Hall and Drexel on Sunday. First pitch will be at 10:00 a.m. vs. Seton Hall.
