CLEVELAND, Ohio – The Cleveland State softball team split its doubleheader on Friday afternoon at Viking Field against Robert Morris. The Green and White fell in their first contest of the day 4-3 in eight innings before a 5-3 victory in the second game.
GAME ONE
Cleveland State jumped out to an early 2-0 lead in the bottom of the first. Kiera Frascone reached first base on a muffed throw by Robert Morris before advancing to second on a stolen base. With Frascone on second, Mackenzie Tucker stepped up to the plate, smashing a double to right center, scoring Frascone.
Sydney Bajusz followed suit, slapping a single up the middle to score Tucker, giving the Vikings an early advantage.
Robert Morris remained scoreless until the top of the fourth inning, recording three runs. Cleveland State responded in the bottom frame with a Becky Hurosky bomb to right field.
After seven innings of action, the score was tied at 3-3.
Robert Morris notched two runs in the top of the eighth and held Cleveland State scoreless to take the 5-3 edge in game one.
Alexa Sieger recorded the loss after throwing a complete game allowing four runs and striking out a pair.
GAME TWO
Just like the opening game of the two-day, four-game stint against fellow Horizon League foe Robert Morris, the Vikes scored the opening run of game two as Frascone crossed home plate first for Cleveland State.
The freshman recorded a leadoff single, reaching second base on another muffed throw. This time, it was Aly Packish who scored Frascone, singling to the pitcher.
Robert Morris tallied its first run of the ball game in the top of the second before a three-run explosion by Cleveland State in the bottom of the fourth.
With one out, Courtney Fernette crushed a homerun down the left field line to give the Vikings a 2-1 lead. Becky Hurosky singled down the right field line before stealing second. Sydney Bajusz then smashed a double to right, advancing Hurosky to third base.
With runners on second and third, Gabby Shackelford notched a double, scoring both Bajusz and Hurosky.
The Green and White tacked on an insurance run in the bottom of the sixth off of a Fernette dinger.
Robert Morris added two runs in the top of the seventh, but the deficit was too steep to overcome.
Hanna Griffin pitched a complete game gem, earning her fifth win of the season. Griffin allowed three runs on 11 hits, fanning two batters.
UP NEXT
The Vikings will conclude their 2021 season on Saturday with a pair of games against RMU. First pitch is set for 12 p.m.
