Cleveland State vs. Robert Morris
Tuesday, March 23 | 2:30 p.m. | 4:30 p.m.
North Athletic Complex | Moon Township, Pa.
2:30 p.m. | Watch | Live Stats
4:30 p.m. | Watch | Live Stats
SETTING THE SCENE
The Cleveland State Vikings softball team opens a stretch of six road games in five days with a doubleheader against Robert Morris on Tuesday afternoon. The Vikes (8-12, 3-5) dropped three of four in their #HLSB home opener over the weekend against IUPUI with the lone win coming by way of the run rule in a 10-2 blowout to open Sunday's games. In the win, Aly Packish and Torrie Jenkins homered while Taylor Duncan (2-2, one RBI) and Alexa Sieger (2-3, two RBI) combined for half of Cleveland State's eight hits. Jenkins started in the circle and tossed a complete game, holding the Jaguars to one earned run on six hits over five innings of work.
SCOUTING ROBERT MORRIS
The Colonials (8-8, 3-5) lost three straight to Green Bay before salvaging the series with a 6-5 win in the finale. Robert Morris has four players hitting above .300, paced by Natalie Higgins' .400 clip. Higgins leads the team in hits (22), RBI (21) and extra-base hits while starting all 16 games. In the circle, Dana Vatakis owns a 3-4 record to go with a 3.11 ERA, going the distance in five of her seven starts while striking out 36 and issuing 26 walks.
AGAINST THIS OPPONENT
The Vikings have a deep history with the Colonials, having played 41 times since 1991. Cleveland State holds a 25-16 advantage in the all-time series, although the two sides split their four-game matchup in 2019 with the Vikes logging wins of 6-4 and 6-5.
DUNCAN IS RED HOT
Infielder Taylor Duncan has been one of the best players in the conference since #HLSB play began on March 12. Over eight league contests, Duncan is tied for second in the HL with a .500 batting average (9-18) and leads all hitters with an incredible .640 on-base percentage. The junior drew three walks compared to 17 punchouts in 12 non-conference affairs but has already recorded five walks while striking out only three times in league games. She went 5-8 at the dish over four games against IUPUI while reaching base nine times.
BOMBS AWAY
The Vikings are tied for the league lead with 12 homers on the season, including three over the weekend. Aly Packish smacked a pair of long bombs, including a three-run shot, while Torrie Jenkins' three-run go-ahead blast on Sunday marked her second career home run. Packish and Sydney Bajusz are tied for the Cleveland State lead with three apiece.
RISING IN THE HORIZON OVERALL – IN THE CIRCLE
Hanna Griffin is tied for second in the Horizon League lead in wins (four) and fourth in innings pitched (49.1) while Taylor Betz's 2.98 ERA ranks inside the top 10 and her .246 batting average against is seventh. Betz has also racked up 33 strikeouts, seventh-most in the conference. Jenna Watts and Torrie Jenkins are two of seven #HLSB pitchers to record a save.
RISING IN THE HORIZON OVERALL - AT THE PLATE
Collectively, the Vikes are tied for first in homers (12), tied for second in RBI (75), second in walks (48) and runs scored, third in hits (122) and runs scored (80), and tied for third in stolen bases (20).
CLUTCH HITTING
The Vikings have excelled when they have a chance to plate runs, hitting .288 (45-156) as a team with runners in scoring position. Sydney Bajusz (10-18, .556), Taylor Duncan (8-16, .500), Kiera Frascone (5-13, .385) and Courtney Fernette (5-15, .333) have combined for over half of Cleveland State's hits in potential scoring situations.
SWIPER NO SWIPING
Senior backstop Courtney Fernette caught a pair of runners attempting to steal second during Sunday's doubleheader against IUPUI. Overall, Fernette ranks second in the Horizon League in runners caught stealing (three). Becky Hurosky is another of the nine total catchers in the league who have thrown out at least one potential base-stealer. As a team, the Vikes have yet to be caught swiping bags, going a perfect 20-20 on stolen base opportunities. Kiera Frascone leads the way with eight steals, third-most in the league.
GET ON THE BOARD EARLY
The Vikings have won five of seven games in which they've scored first compared to a 3-10 mark when the opponent plates the opening run. They also hold a 6-2 record when leading after two innings of play.
WEEKLY AWARDS
Hanna Griffin and Taylor Duncan were named Horizon League Pitcher and Player of the Week, respectively, on Feb. 23 , giving the Vikings four individual #HLSB honors through two weeks of action. In doubleheaders against Charleston Southern and College of Charleston, Griffin tossed back-to-back complete games, including a shutout, while Duncan hit at a 6-12 (.500) clip at the plate with a pair of doubles and three RBI. Griffin and Duncan joined Bajusz and Betz as Vikings with 2021 Horizon League weekly awards.
UP NEXT
The Vikings head to Northern Kentucky on Friday and Saturday for a four-game battle with the Norse. First pitch on Friday is set for noon at Frank Ignatius Green Softball Field.
