FINDLAY, Ohio –  The Saginaw Valley State University baseball team improved its record to 8-6 overall with a 16-9 win over the University of Findlay Saturday (March 20).

The Cardinals scored their first run in the top of the first inning as Kyle O’Boyle (Midland, Mich./Bullock Creek HS) scored Kevin Dore (Kawkawlin, Mich./Bay City Western) on a grounder up the middle.  Findlay took a 3-1 lead by the end of the first, but Saginaw Valley would respond with a three-run second inning.  Matt Hunt (Howell, Mich. / Howell HS) recorded two of his three RBI’s on a ground-out, scoring both Charlie Thomas (Northville, Mich./Northville HS) and Chase Coulter (Clio, Mich. / Powers Catholic HS).  Dore would single to center field, advancing Dustin Mayner (Linden, Mich. / Linden HS) home.   The Oilers would knot the score at seven in the bottom of the third inning. 

Saginaw Valley took the lead by seven at 14-7 in the sixth inning as O’Boyle doubled to center field, hitting in Ryan Ermers (Sterling Heights, Mich./Henry Ford II HS) before scoring.   Thomas would score Webber on a single to left field.  Coulter would reach on a fielder’s choice, which would plate Josh Peterson (Midland, Mich. / Bullock Creek HS).  Mayner would score on a Hunt single to right field.  Ermers then singled to right field, advancing Dore to second and Hunt to home plate.  O’Boyle would step to the plate and single to right field, scoring Dore just before the end of the inning.

The Oilers had a one-run inning in the bottom of the sixth and seventh inning.  Saginaw Valley would post a two-run eighth inning as Webber singled to left field, advancing O’Boyle to second base and sending Hunt home.  Peterson would also pick up his lone RBI on the afternoon, hitting in O’Boyle to end the scoring for the Cardinals and sealing the victory at 16-9.

Scott Haase (Mt. Pleasant, Mich. / Sacred Heart Academy) picked up the victory, throwing 3.2 innings in relief.  Mayner led the way for the Cardinals with four hits in six plate appearances  and two RBI’s on the afternoon.  Both O’Boyle and Peterson posted three hits in five at-bats.

With the win, Saginaw Valley remains undefeated in the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) with a 5-0 record and hold an 8-6 overall record.  The Cardinals will return to action on Wednesday (Ma.h 24) as they travel to Hillsdale College for a double header.  The twinbill is scheduled to begin at 2:00 pm.