Kat Cechini
Cleveland State softball earned a 1-1 split on their first day of conference play vs. Jackson State.
In the first game, the Lady Cougars fell 15-7. After finding themselves down 7-1 after two innings of play, Cleveland State was able to battle back with a five-run third inning. However, a late-game Lady Green Jay surge was too much to overcome in the end.
Kat Cechini had a huge game, batting three-for-three with two RBI and a run scored.
She also hit her first home run of 2020. Amber Atkins also had a three hit game, going three-for-four from the plate and scoring two runs. McCoy Hensley hit her first home run of the season, while Anna Yell was two-for-three with an RBI.
In the second game, Cleveland State earned their first conference victory of 2020, defeating Jackson State 12-4.
Atkins again came up big for the Lady Cougar offense, going a perfect four-for-four from the plate. She hit two home runs, drove in four runs, and scored four of her own. Cechini again hit the ball out of the park, batting two-for-four with two RBI and a run scored. Kaylee Hughes had a three RBI game and scored a run, while Haley Fair was a perfect three-for-three with two RBI.
Kaylee Cornelius matched her career-high in strikeouts on the mound, fanning eight batters.
The Lady Cougars will be back in action on Saturday as they conclude their opening series in conference play. Their doubleheader is set to begin at 1:00 ET.