QUICK HITS
- Kelly Hysong hit her team-leading second homer of the season leading off the game against Western Kentucky
- Riley Ries extended the Vikings lead against Western Kentucky with a two-run double
- Alyssa Rose had the Vikings lone hit against Indiana State
- Kelly Hysong pitched a complete game against Indiana State
- Hanna Griffin limited Western Kentucky to two runs through five innings
- Aly Packish had three hits against Western Kentucky
GAME RECAP
BOWLING GREEN, Ky. -- Kelly Hysong hit her team-leading second home run of the season and Riley Ries drove in a pair of runs, but Cleveland State dropped a pair of games on the opening day of the Hilltopper Classic on Sunday. CSU lost to Indiana State 3-0 in its opening game and then fell to Western Kentucky 10-3 in game two.
Hysong led off the game against Western Kentucky with her second home run of the season, which marked the second time this season she has led off a game with a homer. Ries hit a two-run double in the third inning of the Western Kentucky game, which upped the Vikings lead to 3-0.
Cleveland State, which dropped to 1-5 on the season, had a combined seven hits in the two games. Alyssa Rose had the Vikings hit in the opener against Indiana State and Aly Packish notched three hits in game two against Western Kentucky. Rose also recorded a base hit against the Hilltoppers and finished the day with two hits.
Indiana State won a pitcher's duel in the opening game of the tournament 3-0 behind the pitching of Gabbi Schnaiter who went 7.0 innings and allowed just one hit, while striking out eight.
Hysong also turned in a strong performance in the circle for the Vikings as she went 6.0 innings and struck out one batter.
Cleveland State jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the top of the first inning of the game against Western Kentucky when she ripped a homer to centerfield.
The Vikings extended the lead to 3-0 in the third inning with a pair of runs.
Mackenzie Tucker began the inning by drawing a walk and advanced to second when Hysong grounded out. Packish followed with a single to right advacing Tucker to third and then stole second base to put two runners in scoring position.
With two outs, Ries ripped a double to right centerfield which brought home both Tucker and Packish to increase the Vikings lead to 3-0.
Western Kentucky scored single runs in the third and fourth innings and then used an eight-run seventh inning to pull away from Cleveland State.
The Vikings will conclude play in the Hilltopper Classic on Monday (Feb. 25). Cleveland State will face Butler at 11 a.m. and then conclude the day against Western Kentucky at 3 p.m.