Cleveland State topples top-seeded UIC 8-5 in Horizon League Softball Championship

Release Horizon League · @HorizonLeague · May 9, 2009

PENDLETON, Ind. - In a match-up of the League's top two pitchers, it was Cleveland State offense that took center stage as the Vikings advanced to the championship game with a 8-5 victory over top-seeded University of Illinois at Chicago Friday in the Horizon League Softball Championship at Legends Field in Pendleton, Ind.

With the win, Cleveland State (34-15) is in the title game for the fifth time in the last seven years. But, the Vikings have lost their four most recent appearances, including each of the last two seasons to Wright State University. CSU won its only League title in 1997.

The Vikings chased League Player of the Year Sarah Clynes with four runs in the top of the first inning. Lia Gordon opened the scoring with a two-run double and, one out later, Nicole DeMatteis homered to right center.

UIC (25-25) answered with three runs in the bottom of the first and another in the fourth to tie the game. But, the Vikings weren't done, scoring four more off first-team All-League pitcher Ashley Hewett in the fifth, including Gordon's two-run single.

Cleveland State again rode the iron arm of two-time League Pitcher of the Year Amanda Macenko (27-11), who picked up her third victory of the tournament and school-record 27th of the season. She allowed only one earned run and struck out six in a complete-game effort.

Clynes dropped to 7-14 with the loss.

UIC, the League's regular-season champion, would need to win three games to take the title, beginning with Saturday's 2 p.m. ET game. The Flames are trying to claim their first championships since winning three straight from 2004-06.

Tags: Cleveland State - Softball · UIC - Softball

« Return to Previous Page