Softball still in race for first heading into final regular-season series at Detroit Mercy

Posted: May 05, 2022

ESPN+ LINKS: GAME ONE FRIDAY | GAME TWO FRIDAY | GAME THREE SATURDAY

CLEVELAND – The Cleveland State softball program remains in the race for first place in the Horizon League with three games left to go in the regular season as the Vikings travel to Detroit Mercy for a season-series against the Titans on Friday, May 6 and Saturday, May 7 at Buysse Ballpark.

Friday will feature a doubleheader with first pitches at 1 PM and approximately 3 PM ET, while Saturday will consist of a single game at 3 PM.

Be sure to keep up to date with the CSU Softball Schedule page and @CSU_Softball on Twitter to get the latest information on the HL series, as the three-game slate has already been moved once to accommodate inclement weather set to hit Detroit over the weekend.

SERIES INFORMATION

Three-game series vs. Detroit Mercy (Horizon League)

- Location: Detroit, Michigan (Buysse Ballpark)

- Friday, May 6: 1 and 3 PM ET

- Saturday, May 7: 3 PM ET

HORIZON LEAGUE PLAYOFF PICTURE

Entering the last weekend of the season, the Cleveland State softball program is still firmly in the race for first place in the Horizon League with three games left in the regular season.

1. Robert Morris: 16-5 HL (.762) – at Youngstown State (three games)

2. Oakland: 16-6 HL (.727) – at Green Bay (three games)

3. Cleveland State: 16-7 HL (.696) – at Detroit Mercy (three games)

The Vikings can clinch the top spot in the Horizon League by going 3-0 against Detroit Mercy and getting some help with 2-1 weekends by both Robert Morris and Oakland. Perfect weekends by either RMU or Oakland will wrap up the top spot for them.

FOLLOW LIVE

All three games of the series will be featured on ESPN+.

- Friday, May 6 at 1 PM: https://es.pn/3KOnwdC

- Friday, May 6 at 3 PM: https://es.pn/3yy79zJ

- Saturday, May 7 at 3 PM: https://es.pn/3KNPiXK

RECORD-SETTING 2022 SEASON

Cleveland State has had a record-breaking year in 2022 as the Vikings have already:

- Posted the most wins (20) in a single season since 2016

- Recorded the most conference victories (20) in a season since 2010

- Clinched a spot in the Horizon League Tournament for the first time since 2016

MILESTONE WATCH

Freshman standout Melissa Holzopfel is closing in on history as the Massillon, Ohio native is just two strikeouts away from 200 on the season. She will be just the fifth CSU student-athlete to reach the plateau if she can record at least two punchouts this weekend. Hozopfel comes into the weekend already ranked eighth all-time for most strikeouts in a single season in school history.

If she can pull out two victories, Holzopfel will also move into a tie for ninth all-time for most wins in a single campaign with 16.

FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL

Keep up to date with everything Cleveland State Softball. Follow @CSU_Softball on Twitter, @CSU_Softball on Instagram, like /CSUVikings on Facebook and subscribe to the Cleveland State Athletics Youtube channel.