April 29, 2008

Final Stats

Contact: Greg Murphy

AKRON, Ohio - Cleveland State scored six runs in the fourth inning to break open a close game and earn a 12-9 victory over Akron in a nonleague contest on Tuesday afternoon at Lee Jackson Field.

The win moves the Vikings back to .500 overall at 20-20, while the Zips fall to 20-18.

"This was an important win for us today," head coach Kevin Kocks said. "We really hit the ball well, but made some defensive miscues and walked some guys to aid them. We have another big game at Pittsburgh tomorrow before hosting an important three-game series with UIC this weekend."

Brad Buell finished 3-for-4 with three RBI and three runs, while Alex Kerins went 3-for-5 with two runs and two runs batted in. Bobby Cash and John Brown also drove in two runs apiece.

The Vikings jumped on the board quickly with three runs in the first inning as Kerins hit a two-run double and Brown delivered a two-run double.

After an RBI single by Cash in the third gave the Vikings a 4-0 lead, Akron responded with three runs in the bottom of the third to cut its deficit to 4-3.

However, CSU sent 10 men to the plate in the fourth inning, totaling six runs on five hits and three Zip errors to take a commanding 10-3 lead. Buell had a two-run single in the inning.

Buell and Kerins added RBI singles in the fifth for a 12-3 lead before Akron started to rally.

The Zips plated two runs in the fifth and four more in the eighth, but would get no closer.

CSU starter Nate Blankemeyer earned the win and improved to 2-1 this season, working 3.1 innings of relief. He gave up three runs on three hits.

Zach Yike started for Akron and took the loss (3-3). He lasted three innings, giving up four runs on six hits. Kurt Davidson led the Zip offense, finishing 3-for-4 with two runs and three RBI.

The Vikings will be back in action on Wednesday (April 30) when CSU travels to Pittsburgh for a 6:00 p.m. contest.