Vikings sweep Cougars

CSU women’s softball wins series against College of Charleston Cougars

By: Jamison Schroeder

The Vikings softball team is going to be riding a two-game win streak going into the month of March after sweeping their doubleheader against the College of Charleston Cougars.

Backed by two strong pitching performances, they were some of the strongest winds of the early season, bringing their record to an even 4-4. In-game one, pitcher Hannah Griffin managed her second consecutive complete game, shutting out the Cougars 2-0 on 79 pitches. Griffin allowed five hits in seven innings from the Cougars, striking out three, only walking one. Griffin has been off to a brilliant start with a 2-1 record and hopes to continue this start going into the latter part of the season.

The Vikings managed six hits, only being struck out once by Cougars pitcher Carli McCants who pitched a complete game as well. Alexa Sieger scored their first run in the second inning after a dropped ball allowed Courtney Fernette to score. The second and final run came in the following inning when Taylor Duncan singled, scoring Jenna Deang. Sieger’s first collegiate hit came in the sixth inning, and Deang had her first multi-hit game.

Game two came soon after and was off to a hot start from both teams. The Cougars scored their first, and only run in the first inning. The Vikings responded quickly, getting all three of their runs in the following half-inning thanks to a huge two-run single from Sydney Bajusz. The Vikings finished the game with three runs coming on nine hits, while their pitching absolutely stifled the Cougars, holding them to one run, giving a final score of 3-1.

The pitching showed through in a major way once again in the second game, Taylor Betz getting the starting nod going five innings allowing one run on six hits. Betz struck out five and walked two. Jenna Watts closed it out pitching the final two innings only allowing one other hit.

The Vikings saw solid production from all of their players, and it has shown in the Horizon League weekly awards. For the second week in a row, they swept the awards as Hannah Griffin won Pitcher of the Week, while Taylor Duncan won Player of the Week. Griffin’s back-to-back complete games propelled her to the honor while Duncan’s .500 batting average and the current five-game hitting streak have been the reason for her honor. 

The Vikings will look to keep the ball rolling as they face Purdue University Fort Wayne for a four-game set in March following the cancellation of the four games against Presbyterian.