March 11, 2007

Final Stats

KISSIMMEE, Fla. - Cleveland State rode an overpowering offensive performance and strong pitching from Amanda Macenko to a pair of wins on the Vikings' opening day at the Rebel Spring Games. CSU topped Lafayette, 13-2, and Army, 12-2, to improve to 5-0 on the year.

With their two victories on Sunday, the Vikings joined the 1997 team as the only squads in school history to open the year with five consecutive wins.

"We really got it done offensively today," CSU head coach Angie Nicholson said. "Not only did we hit the ball hard, but we also beat what our opponents were trying to do defensively. It's a good start to the week, but it doesn't mean anything tomorrow."

In the day's opening game, the Vikings erupted for a season-high 18 hits while scoring the most runs in a game since a 15-0 defeat of St. Francis (Pa.) on April 21, 2004. Every starter had at least one hit, eight different players had a pair of base knocks and four drove in two runs each. CSU also stole eight bases on 10 attempts.

Macenko won for the third consecutive game to improve to 3-0 on the year while running her scoreless streak to 12.2 innings. She gave up just one hit while striking out four in 3.0 innings in relief of starter Tara Meyer.

The Vikings struck for three runs in the second, three more in the fourth before capping off the outburst with five in the seventh.

Whitney Willard had two hits, three runs and a pair of stolen bases, while Jessica Burt, Christa Coppus and Michele Penney each collected two hits and two RBI. Amanda Houchin added her team-leading third home run of the season leading off the seventh.

Game two was much the same story, as CSU took a 3-0 lead in the second inning, tacked on five more in the third and closed out the game with four runs in the sixth.

Macenko was solid again, allowing just a pair of unearned runs and five hits while striking out five to move to 4-0. She has yet to allow an earned run in 18.2 innings this year.

Coppus went 3-for-4 to lead the Vikings, while Penney and Sarah Milosek both picked up two hits each. Burt drove in three with an inside-the-park home run and Lia Gordon ended the game with a three-run double.

Cleveland State continues play on Monday with games against George Washington and Rider at 9:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m., respectively.