April 11, 2009

Box Score

CLEVELAND, Ohio - For the second time in as many days, Loyola University Chicago starter Amy Solava squared off against Cleveland State right-hander Amanda Macenko, but the result was different this time around. Macenko tossed a complete game to lead the Vikings (22-13, 10-3 Horizon) to a 2-1 victory over the Ramblers (20-14, 8-4 Horizon) this afternoon at Viking Field.

Loyola drew first blood in the pitcher's duel, but not until Solava and Macenko had hung zeros on the scoreboard through the first three innings. Kristen Medrud led off the top of the fourth with a single for the Ramblers to get a rally started. Stephanie Cihlar replaced Medrud on the base paths and promptly stole second and moved up to third base on a Viking error before Haley Ambrosch drove her in on a fielder's choice to give Loyola a 1-0 lead.

Solava kept the Vikings at bay in the fourth, but in the decisive fifth inning, pinch hitter Mimi Mahon doubled in a run to tie the game and Danielle Young's single brought Alicia Nichols across the plate to put CSU ahead, 2-1.

The Ramblers refused to go down without a fight and threatened in each of their final at-bats against Macenko, but ultimately were unable to score despite leaving a pair of runners on base in both the sixth and seventh innings.

Loyola put runners on first and second with one out in the sixth, but Macenko wiggled out of trouble, before escaping a jam in the seventh. With two outs in the final inning, Lauren Arceneaux singled, stole second and advanced to third on Bridget Lally's single, giving the Ramblers runners at the corners, but again, Macenko escaped unscathed.

Lally went 2 for 3 to lead the Loyola offense against Macenko, while Solava battled control issues, walking seven, but allowed only one earned run and four hits in 5.1 innings.

Loyola opens a busy week of games when it travels to face crosstown foe No. 22 DePaul on April 14 in a single game beginning at 4 p.m.