April 27, 2008

Box Score

CHICAGO - Loyola University Chicago (15-22-1, 9-7 Horizon) managed seven hits off of Cleveland State (28-13, 13-3 Horizon) starter Amanda Macenko, but was unable to come up with a timely hit as the Vikings completed a three-game sweep of the Ramblers with a 1-0 victory today at Loyola Softball Park.

The game was a classic pitcher's duel between Macenko and Loyola right-hander Amy Solava. Both teams squandered scoring chances in the second inning, leaving runners at first and second.

Cleveland State broke through against Solava in the fourth inning when Katelyn Ciminelli ripped a double down the left field line, just out of the reach of a leaping Angie Funston at third base, to score Christa Coppus. The run was the Vikings' seventh unearned run of the weekend.

Loyola's best chance at tying the game came in the bottom of the fifth when it had runners on first and third with two outs, but Macenko worked her way out of trouble, inducing an infield pop out. The Ramblers, who also stranded a runner in the sixth inning, mounted a threat in the seventh when Nora Schober ripped a two-out single, but Macenko got Stephanie Cihlar to ground out end the game.

Ellen Kresl and Cihlar each tallied a pair of hits for the Ramblers. Solava was impressive in the circle in defeat, scattering three hits while not allowing an earned run. Macenko, who won her third game of the weekend for Cleveland State, struck out nine batters this afternoon.

Loyola is back in action Tuesday, April 29, when it hosts Western Michigan.