Feb. 25, 2007

Box Score

Contact: Josh Rattray

CHARLESTON, S.C. - Cleveland State scored a pair of runs in the ninth, but the rally came up just short in a 4-3 loss to Charleston Southern on Sunday at Collins Park. The Vikings fall to 2-4 with the loss, while Charleston Southern improves to 7-5.

Down 4-1 in the ninth, CSU loaded the bases with one out after junior Vasili Pahoulis singled to left, junior Bobby Cash walked and junior Josh Geric singled to center. After sophomore Michael Babin struck out, sophomore Matt Madrid dropped a single to left center, scoing Pahoulis and Cash to pull CSU within 4-3. Sophomore outfielder Jeff Schellhammer struck out swinging to end the Viking threat and the game.

Senior Pat McKitrick worked 4.1 innings of shutout relief, allowing just one hit and striking out four. He retired 13 of the 14 batters he faced.

Charleston Southern's Anthony Hayes went 3-for-4 with two runs scored and Wes Brandridge had two hits.

The Buccaneers took an early 4-0 lead by scoring a pair of runs in the second and third innings. Hayes led off the bottom of the second with a single and scored when CSU could not turn a double play in the infield. Charleston Southern's David Perkins would later score on a single by Brandridge.

The Vikings' lone run came in the top of the seventh when sophomore first baseman Michael Babin reached on an error by Hayes at first base. Pahoulis, who had singled earlier in the inning, scored from second on the play.

"We were not satisfied with that performance," head coach Kevin Kocks said.

D.J. Throneburg pitched 8.1 innings of four-hit ball for the win. Payton Tweddale recorded the save.

The Vikings travel to Cape Girardeau, Mo. for a two-game set versus Southeast Missouri on March 3-4.