March 17, 2010
Final Stats
Contact: Brian McCann
KISSIMMEE, Fla. - Katelyn Ciminelli scored a pair of runs, Alicia Nichols recorded three hits and Amanda Macenko pitched a pair of complete game victories, including a one-hitter, as Cleveland State ran its win streak to five games as the Vikings swept a pair of games on Wednesday at the Rebel Games, edging Hartford, 4-3, and Fairleigh Dickinson, 2-0.
The wins allow CSU to improve to 14-7 and 6-1 during this 13 game trip to Florida.
"This wasn't one of our better days, especially at the plate, but it says something about the makeup of this team that they still won both games," CSU head coach Angie Nicholson said.
"We took a step back defensively today because we just weren't focused. We let balls get by us in the outfield and made some rushed throws on some routine plays, both of which we can't do if we expect to win."
The win over Hartford was a nail-biter as five Viking errors helped to give Hartford at least one base-runner in every inning and leave 10 runners on base.
The Vikings took a 1-0 lead in the first when Jessice Burt singled, stole second, went to third on an illegal pitch and scored on a ground ball by Tess Sito.
Hartford tied the score at 1-1 in the bottom of the frame on an RBI double by Nicole Springer.
CSU answered right back with an Abby Gillilan sacrifice fly in the second to take a 2-1 lead.
The Viking lead grew to 4-1 in the fourth. With Cimineli at second and Lia Gordon at third, Gillilan hit a ground ball to third that Sara Messinger booted. Gordon was safe at home on the play and when Ciminelli tried to take third, Hartford catcher Kate Wacyk threw the ball into left field allowing Ciminelli to score.
Viking errors led to a Hartford run in the fourth when Rachel Clonick was safe on an error by Toman and advanced to third when the ball eluded Nichols in right field and went all the way to the wall. Clonick then came in to score when Macenko misfired to first base after grabbing a Messinger ground ball.
Hartford closed to within 4-3 in the fifth when Ann Kyzer stroked a bases loaded single with no outs. Macenko then struck out Clonick and Wacyk to hit a double play ground ball to third that Gillilan fielded cleanly, through home to get the lead runner and Amy Powell through a strike to first to get the batter.
"That was really a big play because Hartford was in a position to break the game open with a big hit but we turned it around on them and made the big defensive play first," Nicholson said.
Hartford put a pair of runners on with no outs in the seventh but Macenko found the groove and closed the door to preserve the win. She went all seven innings, allowing three runs (two earned) on nine hits.
Ciminelli went two-for-two with a pair of runs scored while Sito, who recorded her team-leading 20th RBI of the year, went hitless in three at bats to end her 18 game hitting streak.
The nightcap was a pitching duel between Macenko and FDU's Trina Fields with Macenko shining to improve to 11-7 on the season and record her school record 91st career victory.
Macenko allowed just one hit and three base-runners in the game.
Brianne Benedict led off the game with a walk. Macenko answered by retiring 16 straight batters before Kristen Kineer ended the no-hit bid when she hit a weak roller out in front of the plate that she beat out for a single with one out in the sixth. Benedict was safe on a Tess Sito error to put runners at first and second before Macenko struck out catcher Lauren Hamilton and Viking catcher Amy Powell picked Kineer off second base to end the threat.
The Vikings scored all the runs they needed in the fifth when Megan Bashak and Gillilan had back-to-back singles and moved to second and third on an error by Fields. Jessica Burt followed with a sacrifice fly to the fence in right that allowed both runners to score.
"That was a shot that Jessica hit," Nicholson said. "It probably should have been out but they were fortunate to make a play but just couldn't get the ball back in quick enough."
Fields allowed two runs (one earned) on five hits in six innings, walking one and striking out two.
Sito, who went one-for-three, stole a pair of bases to give her a team-leading 18 in 24 attempts this year.
Nichols had three hits in the twin bill to extend her hitting streak to five games and raise her batting average to .370.
The Vikings continue play in the Rebel Games tomorrow with games against Rider (3:00 p.m.) and Lafayette (5:00 p.m.).
