SAN ANTONIO – The Cleveland State softball program won't start a year in a more exciting fashion as the Vikings found themselves down to their final out in the top of the seventh before ripping off four straight runs to stun host UIW in a 4-3 victory at H.E.B. Field on Thursday evening.
THE BASICS
FINAL SCORE: Cleveland State – 4, UIW – 3 (seven innings)
LOCATION: H.E.B. Field – San Antonio, Texas
RECORDS: Cleveland State 1-0 (0-0 Horizon), UIW 0-1 (0-0 Southland)
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
- Brooke Albaugh paced the Vikings offense as she finished opening day 1-for-4 with two RBIs and a run scored in her first game in a CSU uniform.
- Jenna Watts made her season-debut in the circle as she posted 3 2/3 shutout innings to collect her first-ever collegiate victory. She allowed just three hits to go with two walks to close out the game. It was the Dublin, Ohio native's first win in 19 appearances.
- Melissa Holzopfel went 2-for-4 at the dish and she also started the game on the mound, where she posted two strikeouts over 3 1/3 innings.
- Sydney Bajusz and Kiera Frascone both went 1-for-3 and finished with a run scored apiece, respectively.
- Mackenzie Tucker also had a knock in this one, as the centerfielder went 1-of-3 overall.
HOW IT HAPPENED
- Cleveland State was only able to manage three hits in total through the first six innings of the contest. The visiting squad found itself down 3-0 with just three outs to go.
- Things looked even bleaker when the leadoff hitter of the final frame struck out to start things out.
- Bajusz followed the K and ripped a double to left field to give the Vikes some slight hope. She then stole third to move herself just 60 feet from home.
- UIW seemed to settle down as the Vikings had just a runner on third, down by three, with one out left.
- Junior Becky Hurosky then entered the game as a pinch hitter and she was able to reach on an error to plate Bajusz to get the Vikings back in it at 3-1.
- Even then the odds were still stacked against CSU, but Frascone punched one through to right field to put two runners on base, still with two outs.
- It was then hero time for Albaugh as she laced a triple to center field to knock in two and tie the game at three overall.
- After a pitching change, senior Aly Packish reached on an error to score Albaugh and gave the Vikings their first lead of the game.
- CSU then slammed the door in the bottom of the seventh, as the Cardinals were able to get a runner on first and second before Watts got back-to-back pop outs to give the Vikings a 4-3 comeback win.
NEXT UP
CSU won't have to wait long for a return to the diamond as the Vikings will be back for two more on Friday on Day Two of the UIW Invitational. Cleveland State kicks things off against Prairie View at 11 AM and follows it up with a showdown against conference rival Green Bay at 2 PM. Both games will be played at H.E.B. Field on the UIW campus. Live video to the contests will not be available, but fans and supporters will be able to follow along with the live stats of the games here.
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