Softball Advances to HL Finals with Dramatic 6-4 Win Over Cleveland State

Friday, May 9

Chicago, IL (Loyola)

9:00 PM

Wright State University

32-24

Cleveland State

30-17

Wright State

Cleveland State

Softball Advances to HL Finals with Dramatic 6-4 Win Over Cleveland State

5/9/2008 12:00:00 PM | Softball

Box Score

By: WSU Athletic Media Relations

For the second straight night, the Wright State softball team rallied in the final inning to pull out a win at the Horizon League Tournament, this time scoring three runs in the seventh to defeat Cleveland State 6-4 in the winner's bracket final Friday night at the Loyola Softball Park in Chicago.

The Vikings went up 2-0 on a two-run, two-out double down the left field line by Natalie DeMatteis and it stayed that way until the Raiders took the lead for the first time in the fifth.

Mollie Berry led off the frame with a home run to center Briauna Birl infield hit and after WSU loaded the bases on a Briauna Birl infield hit and Jamie Perkins and Louie Haney both reaching on errors, Jherica Williams put Wright State up 3-2 with a two-run single up the middle. The Raiders, though, would not score again in the frame as Haney was caught between second and third for the first out and CSU starter Amanda Macenko induced a pop out and a strike out to end the threat.

A two-run hit from Jessica Burt in the fifth again gave Cleveland State the advantage at 4-3 and the Raiders were down to their final two outs as Macenko got Perkins to ground out to start the seventh.

Haney, however, drove a 0-2 pitch over the fence in right center to tie the game and after Williams singled and Bradshaw reached on an error, an Allison Cox ground out advanced both runners into scoring position.

That brought up pinch-hitter Jacqueline Macy and the senior delivered as she smacked a 1-2 pitch down the right field line for a two-run double to give the Raiders the 6-4 edge.

Sharon Palma (17-9) closed it out from there as she retired the Vikings in order in the seventh. Palma struck out three in the complete-game effort in scattering six hits and three walks.

Williams finished with three hits to pace the Raider offense while Berry had two.

Wright State, now 32-24 on the season, advances to the championship round for the second straight year and for the third time in the last six Saturday starting at 5:00 Eastern. The Raiders need just one more win to advance to the NCAA Tournament next weekend.