April 21, 2013

Box Score

CLEVELAND, Ohio - Dara Toman's RBI double with one out in the bottom of the sixth inning broke a 1-1 tie and proved to be the difference in host Cleveland State's (16-20, 7-5 Horizon) 2-1 victory over Loyola University Chicago (23-15, 11-4 Horizon) in the nightcap of a doubleheader this afternoon at Viking Field. Despite the loss, the Ramblers still won their fourth series in Horizon League play.

Loyola drew first blood and didn't waste any time in taking an early lead. In the top of the first, Lauren Zaworski hit into a fielder's choice with one out to bring home Jessica Balzano, who had reached earlier in the inning on a fielder's choice, as the Ramblers grabbed hold of a one-run lead.

Cleveland State would even the contest in the bottom of the third when Erica McNew scampered home following a Loyola error. Loyola sophomore Amanda Ciran, who was starting her second game of the day, escaped a potentially damaging inning in the fourth when she slipped out of a bases-loaded situation by getting Cynthia Woodard to fly out to end the rally.

The game would stay tied until the bottom of the sixth when back-to-back doubles by Darien Ward and Toman helped the Vikings take a 2-1 lead.

Loyola mounted one last charge in the top half of the seventh when Annie Korth reached on a one-out single, but CSU starter Susan Knight rolled a double-play ground ball to end the ballgame and snap the Ramblers' three-game winning streak.

Ciran was impressive yet again in the circle and allowed only one earned run, while scattering seven hits and striking out three, in a hard-luck decision.

Loyola plays its final regular-season road game on April 25 when it treks to Lincoln Park to face longtime rival DePaul in a single game. First pitch is scheduled for 4 p.m.