Raiders Force Game 11 with 8-3 Victory Over Vikings

CLEVELAND - No. 2 Wright State downs No. 1 Cleveland State, 8-3, in Game 10 of the 2010 Horizon League Softball Championship.  The Raiders force CSU into Game 11 with the winner claiming the conference title and an automatic bid into the NCAA Championship.

The Vikings jumped out to an early 2-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning as Lia Gordon executed a well-placed bunt, sending home teammate Jessica Burt.  Katelyn Ciminelli provided the second run as Amy Powell grounded out to the WSU shortstop for the RBI.

Wright State quickly answered in the top of the second off a two-run homer from senior Allison Cox, her third of the season, knotting the game at 2-2.

Cleveland State took little time regaining the lead as Horizon League Player of the Year Tess Sito jacked a solo homer to right center, her 18th of season, yielding a 3-2 score.

In the top of the fifth inning, First-Team All-Leaguer China Frost smacked a single to right field, driving in two runs as the Raiders owned a 4-3 edge.

Wright State furthered its lead to 8-3 in the sixth inning as junior Louie Haney hit a two-RBI single up the middle to start the four-run rally. In the very next sequence, Frost drove in Kristen Bradshaw on a fielder’s choice and Jamie Perkins recorded a sacrifice fly to left field as Haney safely trotted home.

During the contest, senior CSU pitcher Amanda Macenko broke the Horizon League single-season strike out record, finishing the game with 367.

Game 11 is scheduled to begin at 2:30 p.m. ET and is being show live on the Horizon League Network.