Fort Wayne, IN-The Cleveland State softball team won its fourth consecutive game on Tuesday afternoon, defeating Purdue Fort Wayne 10-7 in eight innings. The Vikings improve to 6-3 in the Horizon League and sit one game out of first place in the league standings.
The Vikings used the long ball to generate instant offense, connecting for three home runs in the game, all of which were critical to the outcome.
Melissa Holzopfel got the scoring started with a solo shot in the second inning which put Cleveland State ahead 1-0. The blast was Holzopfel's second of the season.
Becky Hurosky followed with a two-run home run in the next inning to put the Vikings in front 3-0 midway through the third inning.
In what would become a theme throughout the game, the Mastodons had an answer. Purdue Fort Wayne struck for three runs in the bottom of the third inning to tie the score.
Both teams were scoreless until the sixth inning when the Vikings turned a leadoff walk from Peyton Mueller-Stenz into a scoring opportunity. Mueller-Stenz made her way to third on a sac bunt and a ground out, and Kiera Frascone reached on an error allowing her to come home to put CSU back in front 4-3.
Purdue Fort Wayne answered back with two runs in the home half of the sixth to take a 5-4 lead and put the Vikings on the ropes with just three outs left to play with.
Purdue Fort Wayne appeared to have the game in hand, but with two outs and runners on first and second, Emma Gilkerson delivered the biggest of the three home run swings. Gilkerson crushed a three-run shot over the left field wall to put Cleveland State in front 7-5.
The Mastodons were not done, as they mounted a rally in the bottom of the second and pushed two more runs across to tie the game once again, sending it to extra innings tied at seven.
In the eighth the Vikings put two of the first three hitters aboard and Hurosky once again delivered, this time with a two-RBI double to put Cleveland State back on top 9-7. Hurosky had a big day at the plate, finishing 3-5 with four RBI and two runs scored. She finished a triple shy of the cycle, with a single, a double and a home run in the contest.
The Vikings added one more run on a fielder's choice ground ball to make it 10-7. Melissa Holzopfel was able to set down the Mastodons in the bottom of the inning to secure a crucial road victory.
Holzopfel went the distance surrendering 10 hits and five earned runs. She struck out eight while walking only three.
The two teams will be back at it tomorrow with a doubleheader. The first game is set to begin at 1:00 p.m.
