April 21, 2003

Box Score

AKRON, Ohio - The Vikings traveled to Akron on Monday for their 35th and 36th contests of the season. The trip proved to be a success as the Vikings won the first game 3-0 and tied the second game 1-1 on account of darkness.

Game one was very much under the control of freshman J.J. Thornberry (Marion, Ohio/Elgin) who shutout the Zips, scattering seven hits, and walking three while striking out five. The defense was strong also committing just one error in game one.

In the first game the offense was lead by senior catcher Stephanie Taylor (Wintersville,Ohio/Indian Creek) who went 3-for-4 collecting an RBI. Junior centerfielder Jessica Schlenkerman (Lakewood, Ohio/Lakewood) also contributed with a 2-for-2 afternoon.

The Vikings scored two runs in the first and it proved to be all they would need in game one. With Luginbuhl (Lima, Ohio/Bath) on second and Beightol (Akron, Ohio/Springfield) on first Taylor ripped a single to center scoring Luginbuhl. Michelle Beightol would score later on an error by the first baseman for the second run of the inning.

Sophomore Kortney Spidell (Strasburg, Ohio/Strasburg) started the second game in the circle for the Vikings and did not give up just one run in four crafty innings of work. Freshman Grace Luginbuhl then came on to hold the score at one over the next three innings.

The Viking offense had many chances to score in game two but kept coming up empty until freshman Jessica Townsend (Hudson, Ohio/Walsh Jesuit) blasted her first career home run over the left center field wall to give the Vikings their only run.

The Zips would get their run after a Viking error left Akron runners on first and second for first baseman Aaren McBride who doubled over the head of the right fielder to plate the Zips first and only run.

At the end of seven innings the game ended in a tie due to darkness.

The Vikings' next contest is at Youngstown State on the April 23, the game is a seven o'clock start.