CLINTON, South Carolina – The Cleveland State Vikings softball team split their double-header on Saturday (Feb. 29), first taking down Wagner, 13-3, in the first contest, before falling to Presbyterian, 2-1, in game two.
Game One Recap:
The Vikings put on an offensive clinic in their first game of the day against Wagner, scoring 13 runs on 12 hits in five innings.
After Kelly Hysong reached first base on a single, Aly Packish moved the senior to second base on a sac bunt. Sydney Bajusz was next up to the plate for the Vikings, smashing a two-run homerun over the left field fence.
In the top of the third inning, Hysong once again reached first base, this time on a walk, and advanced to second on another Packish sac bunt. Bajusz and freshman Becky Hurosky both walked, which loaded the bases for Lindsay Ward. Ward reached first base on a fielder's choice, scoring Hysong. Hurosky advanced to second, while Bajusz was out at third. Courtney Fernette doubled to left field, scoring both Ward and Hurosky.
Cleveland State tacked on another run in the fourth inning, before exploding for seven runs in the fifth. Kaelin Ettinger recorded a two-run double, Hysong notched a two-run single and Bajusz crushed a three-run homer, her second homerun of the day.
Bajusz drove in six of Cleveland State's 13 runs.
Kelly Hysong was in the circle for the Vikings in the first game, earning the win and improving her record this season to 3-1. The senior did walk any batters, while striking out seven.
Game Two Recap:
Cleveland State jumped on the scoreboard first in the second inning against Presbyterian. Courtney Fernette worked a walk for the Vikings. Lindsay Ward was next up for Cleveland State, recording a sac bunt, moving Fernette to second base. Mackenzie Tucker stepped to the plate, where the sophomore tallied a double to right field, scoring Fernette.
The Vikings held their 1-0 lead all the way until the bottom of the seventh inning, as Presbyterian scored two runs in the last frame.
Taylor Betz threw for Cleveland State in its second game of the day, striking fanning six batters in 6.2 innings pitched.
Up Next:
Cleveland State will be back on the field Sunday, March 1 for another double-header against Wagner and Presbyterian, beginning at 10 a.m.
