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Woodard's Walk-Off Homer Lifts CSU Past Green Bay, 7-6

Woodard's Walk-Off Homer Lifts CSU Past Green Bay, 7-6

CLEVELAND, Ohio - Cynthia Woodard hit a walk-off home run to lead off the bottom of the seventh as Cleveland State won the Horizon League series opener over Green Bay, 7-6, on Friday afternoon at Viking Field.

CSU improved to 20-13 overall and 4-3 in the league, while the Phoenix slipped to 16-10 overall (3-3 HL).

Woodard, who finished 3-for-4 with two runs and an RBI, hit her team-leading sixth homer of the season, drilling a pitch deep over the leftfield foul pole to give the Vikings their 10th win over the last 13 games.

The Phoenix jumped out to a quick 2-0 lead with a pair of runs in the first and it stayed that way until the Vikings erupted for three runs in the fourth to take a 3-2 lead.

Nena Doran delivered a two-run double that scored Alyson Broschk and Erica McNew, while Darien Ward contributed an RBI bunt that was placed right between the pitcher and the first baseman who was drawn in.

CSU's lead did not last long, however, as the Phoenix responded with three runs in the fifth, using three straight doubles and a single to regain the lead. However, Woodard started another CSU rally in the fifth with a one out double and after McNew singled, Broschk hit a three-run homer to center field that gave the Vikings a 6-5 lead.

The Phoenix battled back in the sixth, tying the game on an RBI double from Miranda Reinke. CSU was retired in order in the bottom of the sixth and the Phoenix went 1-2-3 in the top of the seventh, setting up Woodard's game-winning heroics.

Doran finished 2-for-3 with two RBI, while McNew, Broschk and Katelind Phillips each had one hit.

Susan Knight earned the win, pitching 2 1/3 innings of relief and improved to 10-10 this year. She gave up an unearned run, while striking out four.

The two teams will conclude their three-game series on Saturday (April 19) with a doubleheader at Viking Field. The first game will start at 10:00 a.m. In between the two games, CSU's two seniors - Janessa Rivera-Keahi and Sara Shields - will be honored on Senior Day.