April 18, 2007
KENT, Ohio - In a game that didn't feature a single earned run, three Kent State pitchers held Cleveland State to just one hit as the Vikings suffered a 3-1 setback at the Diamond at Dix on a crisp, cool Wednesday afternoon. CSU drops to 19-9 with the loss, while the Golden Flashes improve to 21-14.
Kent jumped out to a 2-0 lead in its first at-bat, taking advantage of an error to lead off the frame with three consecutive hits. The Flashes tacked on their final run of the game in their next time up when the Vikings threw away a potential double-play ball.
CSU got on the board in the third when junior Whitney Willard reached on an error, stole second and came around to score on anther miscue.
Brittany Robinson (9-8), Gabrielle Burns and Kylie Reynolds combined to handcuff CSU, surrendering just a Willard single leading off the game while walking three and striking out seven.
Freshman Amanda Macenko (15-6) was the hard-luck loser, giving up five hits -- none after the second inning -- and no earned runs.
"We hit a couple of balls hard today with runners on, but they were both right at people," CSU head coach Angie Nicholson said. "We need to clean things up in the field and keep being aggressive at the plate and we will be fine. Amanda pitched great and really settled down after the first couple of innings."
Cleveland State returns home this weekend to host Horizon League-leading Loyola for a three-game set. The teams will play a twin bill on Saturday (April 21) followed by a single game on Sunday at noon that will feature Senior Day ceremonies honoring Sarah Milosek and Michele Penney.
