Kristen Medrud hit two home runs, including the game-winner in the ninth inning, to lead Loyola to a 3-2 victory at Cleveland State
 
Kristen Medrud hit two home runs, including the game-winner in the ninth inning, to lead Loyola to a 3-2 victory at Cleveland State
 
 
Medrud's Home Runs Get Loyola Past Cleveland State, 3-2

First baseman belts pair of homers, including game-winner in ninth inning

April 10, 2009

Box Score

CLEVELAND, Ohio - A battle of two of the top pitchers in the Horizon League lived up to its billing as Kristen Medrud hit a pair of home runs, including the game-winner in the ninth inning, and Amy Solava allowed only four hits and one earned run to lead Loyola University Chicago (20-12, 8-2 Horizon) to a 3-2 victory over Cleveland State (20-13, 8-3 Horizon) in game one of a doubleheader today. The Ramblers have nearly matched their win total from a year ago (22) and still have at least 18 games left to play this spring.

Loyola showed its offensive versatility in taking a 2-0 lead, using both speed and power to get on the board first. In the top of the second inning, Medrud led off with a single and moved to second on Bridget Lally's single. Following an out, Medrud and Lally successfully executed a double steal, with Medrud coming around to score on a throwing error by CSU catcher Amy Powell.

Medrud walloped her third home run of the year over the fence in right center in the fourth inning to extend the Ramblers' lead to 2-0. The host Vikings struck back immediately in the bottom half of the inning however, tying the contest on Amanda Houchin's two-run homer.

Neither team was able to generate much offense the rest of the way until Medrud stepped to the plate with one out in the top of the ninth and deposited Amanda Macneko's offering over the left field fence to give the Ramblers a 3-2 lead. Cleveland State's two-out rally in the bottom of the ninth was squelched by Solava, who got Natalie DeMatteis to ground out with a runner on.

Medrud went 3 for 4 with two homers and two RBIs, while Lally had a pair of hits for Loyola. Solava, the 2007 Horizon League Pitcher of the Year allowed only four hits and one earned run, while striking out three, to improve to 6-0 in Horizon League action this spring. Macenko, who earned League Pitcher of the Year accolades last spring, struck out 11 and scattered seven hits to take the loss.