Rochester, MI-The Cleveland State softball team split a doubleheader with Oakland Thursday afternoon in a matchup of the top two teams in the Horizon League standings. 

The Vikings fell in game one 4-1 before rebounding to win game two by a final score of 4-3. 

In game one Oakland got off to a fast start scoring three runs in the first inning. The Golden Grizzlies used a two-RBI double and an RBI single in consecutive at bats to surge ahead. 

Cleveland State got a run back in the second on an Emma Gilkerson sac fly to make it 3-1. A solo home run from Oakland's Jen Krizka in the third widened the lead to 4-1. 

The Vikings had multiple chances to cut into the deficit later in the game but could not come up with the necessary clutch hit. Cleveland State stranded the bases loaded in the fourth and left runners on second and third in the fifth inning. 

In the second game, Cleveland State scored all four of its runs in the third inning to seize control and a 4-1 advantage. Becky Hurosky roped an RBI double to left-center field for the first run of the inning. After Peyton Mueller-Stenz reached on an error, Emma Gilkerson cleared the bases with a three-run shot to put the Vikings ahead for good. 

The home run was Gilkerson's second of the season. Jenna Watts and Meridith Rankl combined to hold Oakland at bay the rest of the way as the Vikings secured the split with a 4-3 win. Rankl went the final three and two thirds innings allowing just three hits. 

The two teams will square off again tomorrow in the rubber match of the three-game series with first pitch scheduled for 3:00 p.m.