CLEVELAND, Ohio – The Cleveland State softball team wrapped up action at the CSU Dome Tournament Sunday, picking up a pair of wins over Robert Morris (2-0) and Bowling Green (8-5). The Vikings are now 3-1 after the first weekend of the 2016 season.
Cleveland State 2, Roberts Morris 0
During the first game of the day, Cleveland State picked up a 2-0 win over Roberts Morris, led by Erica McNew who tallied her second homerun of the young season.
The Vikings got on the board early, with McNew posting her lone hit of the contest during the bottom of the first inning with a homerun to center field.
Robert Morris threatened to tie the game in the next half inning, as Olivia Lorusso reached base on an error, and then advanced to second. Lorusso then advanced to third base after a sacrifice hit, but Susan Knight was able to strike out the next two batters, leaving Lorusso stranded to end the inning.
Cleveland State extended its advantage to 2-0 during the fifth inning then, as Sidney Morgan reached base on an error and advanced to third. As the next batter up, Knight was able to drive in Morgan by hitting a single to center field, giving the Vikings the two-run lead.
The Vikings then held Robert Morris scoreless over the final two innings, posting six straight outs for their second victory of the season.
Knight picked up the win against Robert Morris, her first of the season, pitching a complete game with four strikeouts.
Cleveland State 8, Bowling Green 5
Cleveland State once again got out to an early lead during the second game of the day, going up 2-0 after the first inning of play. After Knight reached base on an error, she was able to advance to third base on a Katelind Phillips double to center field, and then scored on a McNew single up the middle. Also scoring on McNew's hit was Phillips, giving Cleveland State the 2-0 advantage going into the second frame.
Bowling Green responded in the top of the third inning, as the Falcons scored five runs on five hits, including a homerun, to gain a 5-2 advantage after the top of the third inning.
The Vikings then had a breakout fourth inning, regaining a 6-5 lead following one hit, four walks and three Falcon errors. Cleveland State scored its first run of the inning following a BGSU error, its second run on a Knight single to second base, the third run on a Phillips sacrifice fly, and the final run of the inning on a wild pitch.
Cleveland State then added to its lead during the bottom of the sixth inning, as Melanie Woodard doubled to left field to start the frame, which led to pinch runner Darien Ward eventually scoring on another Knight single. The final run for the Vikings came from Alisha Silva, as she scored on a McNew ground out to second base.
The Vikings then held the Falcons off the board during the top of the seventh inning, coming away with the 8-5 victory.
Macy Kaisk picked up the win for the Vikings, improving to 2-0 on the season after pitching a complete game with five strikeouts.
Next up for the Vikings will be the Coastal Carolina Tournament, with Cleveland State playing five games over three days next weekend (Friday, February 19 – Sunday, February 21).
