May 6, 2006

Game One Stats | Game Two Stats

CLEVELAND - Cleveland State moved a step closer to its first Horizon League regular season title by earning a split of its doubleheader with Detroit on Saturday afternoon at Viking Field. The Titans won a sloppy game one, 8-5, before the Vikings rebounded to claim the second contest, 3-1.

At 14-6 in the Horizon League, CSU (35-12) can win the regular season title with a victory on Sunday over Detroit or a UIC loss. The Vikings lead the Flames (13-6) by just a half-game heading into tomorrow's 1:00 p.m. season finale. The 14 league wins are a school record for CSU.

"We have to try and approach tomorrow like we have every game all year long and take things one pitch at a time," CSU head coach Julie Jones said. "It's a great opportunity to be able to play for a championship on our home field."

In game one, the Titans (16-26, 12-7 HL) chased starter Grace Luginbuhl (21-8) after she gave up five runs (four earned) and five hits in 2.1 innings of work.

Lindsay Roy went the distance for Detroit, allowing eight hits and five runs (four earned) to improve to 8-5.

Katrina Klemp paced the Titan offense with four hits, two RBI and a pair of runs scored.

Luginbuhl went 3-for-3, while Michelle Nicholas had two hits, including a two-run home run.

Luginbuhl was able to turn the tables in the second contest, hurling her 24th complete game of the year to move to 22-8. She allowed one run on seven hits while striking out five.

CSU struck first, scoring an unearned run in the bottom of the second. The Vikings pushed the lead to 2-0 in the fourth, when Michele Penney scored on a two-out double by Sarah Milosek. CSU tacked on an insurance run in its next at-bat on an RBI infield single by Luginbuhl.

Detroit cut into the lead in the sixth on an RBI double by Kaleigh Rafter. After an intentional walk, Luginbuhl was able to wriggle out of a bases-loaded jam by getting the next batter to line into a double play.

Adrienne Baran took the loss to fall to 3-7, giving up nine hits and three runs (two earned) while fanning five.

"We didn't pitch very well in the opener, but Grace came back and was great in the second game," Jones said. "I thought we hit the ball pretty well today, but didn't take advantage of the opportunities Detroit gave us in the first game."

Cleveland State's six seniors -- Shannon Graves, Kaitlin Guyette, Grace Luginbuhl, Michelle Nicholas, Kortney Spidell and J.J. Thornberry -- will be honored in ceremony prior to Sunday's regular season finale.