Vikings Top Belmont, 8-7 In Series Opener
    Alex Johnson Went 3-for-5 At The Plate With Two Runs And One RBI
    Anthony Sambula recorded his second win of the season today.

    Anthony Sambula recorded his second win of the season today.

    March 16, 2010

    Final Stats

    Contact: Renee Adam

    Nashville, Tenn. - The Cleveland State baseball team notched their second win of the season, as a four-run first inning propelled the Vikings past the Belmont Bruins, 8-7 this afternoon at Shelby Park.

    "We were finally able to have solid pitching and offense through the entire game, which helped us tremendously," head coach Kevin Kocks said. "Our pitchers really stepped up today and held strong through all nine innings, allowing us to work on our offense and getting things started there. We will come out strong again tomorrow and see if we can produce the same result."

    CSU Scored four runs off of four hits in their first inning at the plate, including an Alex Johnson double, a Kyle Shaffer homer, a Josh Lowe single and a Jason Haditsch single.

    On his first home run of the season, Shaffer drove in Johnson, putting the first Viking run on the board. Lowe's single drove in Bob Suitca, who reached base after getting hit by a pitch, with the final run of the inning coming when Vince Marquard scored after Haditsch singled up the middle.

    The Vikings followed up their four-run first inning with two more runs over the second and third innings. Ryan Franks started the second inning with a double to right field, and went on to score after Bob Suitca hit a sacrifice fly to left field, while Jason Haditsch scored during the third inning, reaching base after getting hit by a pitch and stealing second base, putting the Vikings up 6-2.

     

     

    Belmont would get on the board for the first time in the second inning, recording two runs off of three walks, a Jared Breen double and a Matt Zeblo single.

    The Bruins put two more runs on the board in the third inning, including a Nate Woods home run, and were able to put another run on the board in the fifth inning after Derek Hamblen tripled to right center, bringing the score to within one, 6-5.

    The Vikings continued their offensive power during the sixth inning, putting their final two runs on the board. Johnson was the first Viking at the plate, and was able to single up the middle. He went on to score after a wild pitch. Tyler Wynn singled to left center, driving in Shaffer as the final CSU run of the game, putting the Vikings up 8-5 going into the ninth inning.

    The Vikings were able to fend off a ninth inning rally by the Bruins, when they drove in two more runs with two outs, before CSU was finally able to put Belmont away, when Tim Egerton flied out to center field.

    Johnson led the Vikings at the plate, going 3-for-5 with two runs and one RBI while Anthony Sambula (2-1) got his second win of the season, pitching 4 2/3 innings of relief work, allowing four hits and three runs. Travis Miller earned his first save of the season, pitching 1/3 inning.

    Belmont's Tyler Graskewicz pitched just one inning, allowing four runs, taking the loss for the Bruins.

    The Vikings will stay in Nashville, Tenn. for one more game against Belmont, tomorrow (March 17). The game is scheduled for a 4:00 p.m. EST start.