Green Bay, WI-The Cleveland State softball team finished strong in its weekend trip to Green Bay as the Vikings took the second game of a doubleheader to earn a split on the day and take two of three from the Phoenix to earn a second series victory in three tries to open Horizon League play. After falling in the first game 8-0 in five innings, the Vikings rebounded for a 6-0 victory in game two.

Cleveland State scored all six of its runs in the first two innings of the second game. The Vikings took the early lead thanks to a leadoff double from Brooke Albaugh. Albaugh advanced to third on a sacrifice bunt and scored as Melissa Holzopfel reached on an error by the shortstop to make it 1-0. 

The Vikings continued the offensive momentum as they struck for a five spot in the second inning. Emma Gilkerson led off the inning with her team-leading third home run of the season, a solo shot over the left field wall. The rest of the scoring came with two outs, as Albaugh delivered a two-RBI double and Jenna Deang followed with an RBI single that brought Albaugh home. Deang would later score on a wild pitch to cap the inning and make it 6-0 Cleveland State.

The six runs were more than enough for Holzopfel in the circle, who delivered a complete game shutout and recorded a second consecutive double-digit strikeout performance with ten strikeouts. Holzopfel yielded just three hits and walked only three batters to earn her seventh win of the season. 

In the first game of the day Green Bay scored in every inning in taking an 8-0 win in five innings. The Vikings produced only four hits and could not push a run across. 

Cleveland State is now 5-4 in Horizon League play and returns home for a midweek series with Purdue Fort Wayne at Viking Field. The two teams will play a single game on Tuesday at 3:00 p.m. with a doubleheader scheduled for Wednesday starting at noon.