Marshall University Athletics
Cleveland State Defeats Herd, 2-1
3/20/2004 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
Cleveland State Defeats Herd, 2-1
3/20/2004
- Box Score
HUNTINGTON, W. Va. ? The Cleveland State pitching staff limited the Herd offense to four hits and one run as the Vikings downed the Herd, 2-1, Saturday at University Heights.
The game started out as a pitcher?s duel with Herd starter Chris Koutsavlis (Pittsburgh, PA) and Viking starter David Boyza cruising through the first five innings without allowing a run.
Marshall (9-11) had their chances to score in the early innings. Chris Monaco (Tucson, AZ) reached on an error in the first and stole second, but was caught stealing third for the first out of the inning.
In the third, Nick Wolle (Coatesville, PA) and Mike Koitsopoulos (Markham, Ont.) notched singles to lead off the inning, but Koitsopoulos was caught stealing second to record the first out. The next batter, Chris Monaco, walked, but was caught stealing for the second time to record the second out. Marshall Murray (Walnut Creek, CA) grounded out to second to end the inning.
Cleveland State took the lead off of Koutsavlis in the top of the sixth. He gave up two runs on three hits to Cleveland State to put them up 2-0.
The Herd made a charge in the seventh, loading up the bases with one out after a hit batter and two walks, but Koitsopoulos hit into an inning-ending double play to keep CSU?s lead at 2-0.
In the bottom of the eighth, Murray notched a one out double, which was followed up by an Adam Frederick (Franklin, PA) walk. That brought up Francois Larmore (Magnolia, NJ), who hit into a fielder?s choice to reach base and move Murray to third. Herd Coach Dave Piepenbrink called a successful double steal to bring in Murray and move Larmore to second to come within one run of the Vikings, but Cleveland State pitcher Gian Testa was able to strike out Herd shortstop Aaron Jamieson (Lindsay, Ont.) to end the inning and sit the Herd down in order in the ninth to give CSU their second win of the season and improve their record to 2-6.
Koutsavlis pitched 6 2/3 strong innings, giving up two runs on eight hits. He took the loss for Marshall, dropping his record to 1-2. Chris Cummings (Huntington, WV) pitched 2 1/3 scoreless innings of relief, allowing one hit.
The Herd will look to improve on today?s four hit, one run performance in tomorrow?s series finale at University Heights at 1 p.m. It will mark the final game of this home stand, as Marshall will take on the Kentucky Wildcats on Wednesday before traveling to Eastern Michigan to take on the Eagles in the Mid-American Conference opener. They return home on April 2 to take on the Miami Redhawks at University Heights. Admission to all home games is free. The Miami series will mark the conference home opener for MU.
