April 10, 2009
Final Stats
Contact: Brian McCann
CLEVELAND, Ohio - Shalyn Adams hit a three-run homerun to break open a tie game as Cleveland State rallied to split a doubleheader with visiting Loyola, dropping the first game, 3-2 in nine innings before winning the nightcap, 5-2.
The split drops CSU to 21-13 overall and into second place in the Horizon League with a 9-3 mark. UIC takes over the lead with a 5-1 record with Loyola in third place with a 20-13 overall and 8-3 record.
Amanda Macenko received he decision in both games for CSU, improving to 17-9 this year. It was her 69th career victory, breaking Amy Kyler's school record of 68 career wins set from 1993-97.
"This was a pretty good battle out their today," CSU head coach Angie Nicholson said. "Both teams were ready to play today because the pitching and defense really showed it.
"On one hand, we were fortunate to split this doubleheader, but we weren't that far away from taking both games. All we needed to do was get a hit or two in the clutch and it would have come our way.
"Amanda pitched real well in both games and I am happy for her because she has been such a big part of our success the last couple of seasons," Nicholson added.
The nemesis of the Vikings in the opener was Rambler first baseman Kristen Medrud, who scored all three runs,
In the top of the second, Medrud singled and went to second on a single by Bridget Lally. The duo pulled off a double steal with Medrud coming in to score when the throw down to third base by Amy Powell was behind the play and skipped off the glove of shortstop Natalie DeMatteis and into left field.
Medrud made it 2-0 in the fourth when she hit a two-out homerun to right centerfield.
The Vikings tied the game at 2-2 in the bottom of the frame when Christa Coppus reached base on an error and scored on Amanda Houchin's fifth homerun of the season, a line drive to left field
The score remained tied until the ninth when Medrud blasted her second homerun of the game, a one-out line drive to left.
The loss spoiled a strong pitching performance by Amanda Macenko, who struck out 11 and allowed just seven hits and three runs (two earned) in nine innings. Amy Solava (10-7) was the winner after limiting the Vikings to four hits and two runs (one earned), striking out three and walking three.
Loyola jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the nightcap when Kayee Tharpe singled with one out in the second and eventually scored on a fielding error by Christa Coppus,
The Vikings took a 2-1 lead in the third when Christa Coppus doubled to deep center, scoring Megan Bashak and Danielle Young.
CSU put the game away in the fourth. With runners at first and second following a pair of Viking singles, Shalyn Adams launched a three-run homerun just inside the line in left to put CSU ahead, 5-1. It was the first career homer for the senior.
"That was a big hit by Shay," Nicholson said. "She has really battled all season and earned a spot for herself in the lineup. Her homerun today was just another example of the payoff from her hard work."
Loyola got one run back in the top of the fifth when Jenna Grim led off with a homerun to right.
Macenko allowed just one runner on base after that to pick up her league-leading 17th win of the season.
The two teams will meet again to finish the three-game series on Saturday (April 10) starting at 12:00 noon at Viking Field.
