April 22, 2007
CLEVELAND - Visiting Loyola capped off a three-game sweep of Cleveland State with a 7-1 victory on Sunday afternoon. The loss spoiled Senior Day for Sarah Milosek and Michele Penney who were playing their final weekend home game of the regular season.
"We just couldn't hit the ball today," CSU head coach Angie Nicholson said. "We've been good all year at not striking out, but we struggled all weekend to put the ball in play. We need to get back to stringing hits together and building rallies."
As they did in the previous two games, the Ramblers jumped on top first, playing three runs in their first at-bat. After the first two runners reached, Kat Krause brought both home on a double to the gap in left center. She then came around to score on a single by Kristen Medrud.
CSU plated its only run of the game in the home half of the first when sophomore Amanda Houchin and senior Sarah Milosek put together back-to-back two-out doubles to chase starter Angie Funston.
That would be all the offense the Vikings would get as reliever Amy Solava handcuffed CSU the rest of the way, allowing just three hits while fanning seven over the remaining 6.1 innings to improve to 9-8.
Krause struck again in the third, ripping a two run home run to chase starter Amanda Macenko (15-8), who gave up six hits and five runs (four earned) in 2.1 innings.
Loyola would tack on two more runs as part of a 12-hit attack.
Junior Christina Swierz was solid in relief for the Vikings, giving up six hits and two runs (one earned) in 4.1 innings of work.
Krause finished the day 3-for-4 with four RBI, while Houchin led CSU with a 2-for-2 performance.
Cleveland State returns to action on Wednesday (April 25) when the Vikings host Youngstown State in a doubleheader beginning at 4:00 p.m. at Viking Field.
