March 25, 2003
Cleveland - Playing its home opener, the Cleveland State softball team rolled up its fifth win in a row with a 10-6 win over visiting Robert Morris Tuesday at Viking Field.
The second game with the Colonials was called after a half hour rain delay with CSU leading 1-0 in the bottom of the first.
Although Robert Morris (3-16) took an early 2-0 lead in the top of the first, the Vikings (7-9) answered in the bottom half of the inning with four runs to go up 4-2. After a scoreless second inning, the Colonials knotted the game at four in the top of the third. The Vikes picked up a run in the bottom of the fourth to regain the lead, 5-4, but RMU plated a pair of runs in the top of the fifth for a 6-5 advantage.
However, the Vikings countered with five unanswered runs - three in the fifth and two in the sixth - to provide a four-run cushion.
Sophomore rightfielder Michelle Nicholas (Navarre, Ohio/Perry) provided a chunk of firepower, going 2-for-3 on the day with a triple and four RBI. In addition, junior leftfielder Michelle Beightol (Akron, Ohio/Springfield) went 2-for-3 with an RBI while senior catcher Stephanie Taylor (Wintersville, Ohio/Indian Creek) was 2-for-2 with an RBI. In addition, each was responsible for scoring two runs apiece.
The speedy Vikings also racked up five stolen bases with sophomore designated hitter Jackie Cornelius (Cincinnati, Ohio/Oak Hills) swiping a pair.
Senior Jessica Miller (Medina, Ohio/Medina) picked up the win for CSU, tossing 4 2/3 innings in relief of starter Kortney Spidell (Strasburg, Ohio/Strasburg-Franklin). Miller allowed four hits and two runs, both earned, while striking out four.
The Vikings travel to Pittsburgh Wednesday for a doubleheader with the Panthers beginning at 2 p.m.
