March 16, 2002

Huntington, W.V. - Fueled by senior Jackie Miller's (Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio/Walsh Jesuit) two-run blast in the top of the sixth, Cleveland State beat host Marshall 4-3 in thcond game of the Marshall Spring Classic sponsored by Hampton Inn.

A rain delay in the top of the fifth inning loomed large for the Vikings as CSU trailed the Herd 2-1 before the break.

Marshall struck first scoring a run in the bottom of the third but Cleveland State came right back to score in the top of the fourth, sneaking a run home on a run down. The Herd however, kept their bats going in the bottom half of the inning using a lead-off double and a Viking error to post a run. This put Marshall up 2-1 when the lightning and rain moved in.

After a delay for approximately an hour, CSU opened the fifth inning with a lead-off double by Stephanie Taylor (Wintersville, Ohio/). Taylor advance to third on a sacrifice bunt by pitcher Lindsay Gervais (Bucyrus, Ohio/Colonel Crawford) and scored on a fielder's choice to tie the game.

After the Herd went down in order in the bottom of the fifth, CSU looked to do the same in the top of the sixth, posting two straight outs. However, Jessica Miller rapped a two-out single to left to extend the inning and then Jackie Miller stepped up and knocked the two-run homer to give the Vikings a 4-2 lead.

Marshall shortstop Carrie Dean had an answer for the Vikings in the bottom of the sixth as she blasted a solo shot over the left field fence to lead off the inning. However, Gervais coaxed three pop-ups out of the Herd to close out the inning and then sent them down in order in the seventh for the win.

The Vikings, 3-5, will resume tournament play Saturday, weather permitting.