CLEVELAND – The Cleveland State softball team continued one of its best starts to conference play in its Horizon League history as the Vikings picked up a 10-2, five-inning victory over visiting Purdue Fort Wayne at Viking Field on Sunday afternoon.

The Vikes are now 5-1 in league play to begin the season.

THE BASICS
FINAL SCORE: Cleveland State – 10, Purdue Fort Wayne – 2 (five innings)

LOCATION: Vikings Field – Cleveland, Ohio

RECORDS: Cleveland State 9-15 (5-1 Horizon), Purdue Fort Wayne 4-16 (3-2 Horizon)

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE

- Courtney Fernette stepped behind the plate and had one of her best games of the season as she broke out with a perfect 2-for-2 performance with four RBI, a run scored and a walk.

- Sophie Spellman added a big showing as she finished the contest 2-for-3. She chipped in two RBI and two runs scored.

- Aly Packish (1-for-4) sealed the run-rule victory with a two-run walk-off hit.

- Jenna Deang was steady out of the leadoff spot with a hit, a RBI and a run scored.

- Becky Hurosky (RBI, R, BB), Alexa Sieger (2 R, BB) and Melissa Holzopfel (R, BB) all finished the day 1-for-2 at the dish, respectively.

- Sydney Bajusz and Katie Holmes also crossed home plate for the Vikings. 

- Holzopfel went the distance in the circle and allowed just five hits and two earned runs along with six punchouts. 

HOW IT HAPPENED

- Cleveland State got off to a fast start with three runs in the bottom of the first inning to jump ahead 3-0.

- Purdue Fort Wayne answered back in the top of the third with two runs of its own to cut the CSU advantage to 3-2.

- The Vikes got another run in the bottom half of the fourth off a RBI single to right field by Deang to double the Mastodons at 4-2.

- The Vikings then exploded for six runs in the bottom of the fifth as a two-run single up the middle by Packish sealed the run-rule victory.

NEXT UP

The Vikings will get a short bit of rest before welcoming Northern Kentucky to Cleveland. The two squads will meet for a three-game Horizon League series on Friday, March 25 (3 PM ET) and Saturday, March 26 (1 and 3 PM) at Viking Field. Admission to all three contests is free of charge.

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