Wright State Claims 2008 Horizon League Softball Championship

May 10, 2008

Championship Photo Gallery

CHICAGO - Wright State University shut out Cleveland State University 2-0 in the tournament final of the Horizon League Championship at Loyola Softball Park. The Raiders successfully defended their 2007 tournament title and earned their third championship crown in six years.

Wright State sophomore pitcher Sharon Palma was selected as the tournament MVP as she picked up her fourth win of the championship. Palma worked 7.0 innings and limited the Vikings to just two hits. In her four appearances, Palma registered an earned-run average of 1.52, struck out 10 and walked just eight batters in 27.2 innings of work.

Fellow Raiders Jherica Williams and Bridget Henry also received tournament specialty awards. Williams received the batting champion award, while Henry was recognized as the tournament's top fielder.

Williams, who was named the League's Player of Year on Wednesday, posted a tournament-best .556 batting average. Henry received the fielding award after she record 41 put outs and posted a fielding percentage of 1.000.

Cleveland State sophomore starter Amanda Macenko took the loss and fell to 26-14 on the year. Macenko worked 7.0 innings, struck out six and did not walk a batter.

Sophomore Mollie Berry scored from third base on a passed ball to give WSU a 1-0 lead in the second inning. Berry got on base after she hit a leadoff triple into right-centerfield.

Wright State would then add another run in the third inning thanks to an RBI single by freshman Louie Haney. Sophomore Brianuna Birl scored from third base to increase the Raiders advantage to 2-0.

Birl got the inning started as she led off with a single to centerfield. She then advanced to third on a throwing error by CSU first-baseman Katelyn Ciminelli. Haney came up next and drove in Birl from third with a single to leftfield.

Cleveland State threatened to score in the fifth inning as freshman Christina Stoffer doubled to right field with one out. Stoffer then advanced to third on a sacrifice bunt by Natalie Dematteis. Senior Whitney Willard came up next and grounded out to first to end the threat.

Palma slammed the door on the Vikings in the sixth and seventh innings as she held CSU without a hit to preserve the victory.

For complete coverage of the 2008 Horizon League Softball Championship check out the tournament homepage at www.horizonleague.org.

2008 All-Tournament Team
Jessica Burt, Cleveland State
Katelyn Ciminelli, Cleveland State
Amanda Houchin, Cleveland State
Amanda Macenko, Cleveland State
Nora Schober, Loyola
Amy Solava, Loyola
Stephanie Chavez, UIC
Sarah Clynes, UIC
Mollie Berry, Wright State
Louie Haney, Wright State
Sharon Palma, Wright State
Jherica Williams, Wright State


Most Valuable Player
Sharon Palma, Wright State

Batting Champion
Jherica Williams, Wright State

Pitching Award
Sarah Clynes, UIC

Fielding Award
Bridget Henry, Wright State