AKRON, Ohio - Cleveland State used late inning rallies in both games to sweep a doubleheader at Akron on Tuesday afternoon.
CSU won the first game, 8-5, with a four-run seventh inning, and scored four runs in the sixth inning of game two to claim a 7-6 victory.
In the opener, Akron took a 4-1 lead after three innings with Mel Woodard driving in CSU's run with an RBI double. After Melissa Jacobsen scored an unearned run for CSU in the fifth, the Zips answered with a run in the bottom of the fifth to lead, 5-2.
The Vikings cut the deficit to 5-4 in the sixth as Hanna Breeden delivered an RBI single and Alicia Major drew a bases loaded walk for an RBI.
CSU's rally in the seventh inning started as Mackenzie Joecken and Riley Ries led off the inning with back-to-back walks and Major followed with a single that loaded the bases. Breeden followed with an RBI fielder's choice and after the Zips recorded the first out of the inning, Bailee Gay had an RBI single, Sofia Johantgen a sacrifice fly and Melissa Jacobsen an RBI single to give the Vikings an 8-5 lead.
After the first batter of the bottom of the seventh singled and stole second for Akron, Major recorded the next three outs to end the game.
Major worked the final three innings, giving up one run (unearned) on two hits to earn the win.
Eight different Vikings had one hit apiece, while Breeden drove in two runs.
In the nightcap, Akron took a 6-3 lead after four innings. The Vikings scored on an RBI single and solo homer from Joecken and a fielder's choice by Johantgen.
Johantgen had an RBI single in the sixth and Jacobsen followed with an RBI fielder's choice to slice the Zips lead to 6-5. After a groundout put runners on second and third, Joecken delivered what proved to be the game-winning runs with a two-out, two-run double.
Joecken finished 3-for-4 with four RBI in game two, while Johantgen drove in a pair.
Hanna Breeden worked the final two innings, giving up just one hit and fanning two to earn the win.
The second game was called after six innings due to darkness.
CSU is back in action on Thursday (March 30) when the Vikings host Niagara for a doubleheader at Viking Field. The first game is slated for 3:00 pm.
