March 15, 2007

Yale Stats | Columbia Stats

KISSIMMEE, Fla. - Cleveland State wrapped up a successful stint at the Rebel Spring Games with a pair of hard-fought victories on Thursday afternoon. The Vikings, who went 8-2 during their five-day stay in Florida, defeated Yale (5-1) and Columbia (5-4) to improve to 11-2 on the year.

Yale struck for a run in the top of the first inning and maintained the lead until the bottom of the fifth when CSU erupted for five runs. The Vikings got things going with a run on a wild pitch before Christa Coppus doubled in a run and came in to score on a fielder's choice. Lia Gordon then capped off the rally with a two-run, two-out pinch hit double.

Amanda Macenko turned in another solid effort to pick up her seventh win. She scattered nine hits while fanning seven without a walk in her fifth complete game effort of the season.

Deanna DiBernardi (0-1) took the loss in 4.0 innings of work, giving up two runs on five hits.

Coppus had a pair of doubles to pace the Vikings while Danielle Young went 2-for-3.

In game two, CSU broke a scoreless tie in the top of the third on a two-out, two-run double by Amanda Houchin.

After Columbia knotted the score with a pair of two-out runs of their own in the bottom of the sixth, the Vikings responded in their final at-bat.

Erica Remshard started things off with a single, moved to second on a sacrifice and came around to score on a double by Young. Coppus then followed with her first home run of the season to put CSU up 5-2.

The homer proved to be crucial, as the Lions scored a pair of unearned runs in the bottom of the seventh. However, Macenko escaped a bases-loaded jam by inducing a groundout to end the contest.

Macenko's sixth complete game of the year was a bit of a struggle as she allowed a season-high nine hits and four runs (two earned), but still managed to improve to 8-1.

Amanda Snyder gave up 11 hits and five runs to fall to 2-4.

Coppus, Houchin and Remshard each had a pair of hits to lead the Vikings.

"We weren't too sharp today, but we battled through it and came up with some clutch hits," CSU head coach Angie Nicholson said. "We were really tested the last two days and responded very well."

Cleveland State is off until March 23 when the Vikings travel to Baltimore for the UMBC Spring Classic which runs through March 25.