FORT MYERS, Fla. - The Cleveland State softball team opened the FGCU/Four Points Spring Break Classic on Friday, falling to IUPUI, 6-4, and Canisius, 3-0.
In the opener vs. IUPUI, the Vikings fell behind 6-0 as the Jaguars scored two runs in the first, third and fifth innings. However, CSU used an RBI single by Macy Kaisk and an RBI groundout by Riley Ries in the fifth inning to cut the deficit to 6-2.
The Vikings continued the rally in the seventh inning, scoring a run on an IUPUI error and a Ries sacrifice fly to make it 6-4. The winning run came to the plate with two outs and runners on first and third, but the Jaguars recorded the final out to thrwart CSU's rally.
Mel Woodard finished 2-for-3 with two runs, while Kaisk went 2-for-4 with an RBI and Ries drove in two runs. Melissa Jacobsen and Alicia Major also had a hit.
Kristin Catalano pitched the final three innings for CSU, giving up just two hits with two strikeouts.
In game two, Canisius broke a scoreless game with a run in the fourth inning and added two more in the sixth to claim the victory.
Jacobsen finished 2-for-2, while Major also had a hit.
Hanna Breeden worked 4 1/3 innings in the circle, giving up one run on four hits with three strikeouts. Major worked the final 1 2/3 innings, allowing two runs (none earned) on two hits with two strikeouts.
The Vikings continue play in the Classic with two games on Saturday (March 18), playing Drexel at 2:30 pm and IUPUI at 7:15 pm.