UNIVERSITY CENTER, Mich. - The Saginaw Valley State University men's baseball team defeated Hillsdale College, 5-0 in game one and 4-3 in game two for their first Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) contests of the 2012 season. With the wins the Cardinals improve to 5-8 overall on the season and 2-0 in the GLIAC, while Hillsdale falls to 2-12 overall on the season 0-2 in the GLIAC.
Game 1
Saginaw Valley got their offense going in the bottom of the fifth inning when Chet LaFave (Charlotte, Mich./Olney Central College) led off the inning with a double down the left field line and would come around to score after freshman Chris Perkovich (Canton, Mich.) reached on a fielder's choice.
The Cardinals extended their lead to 5-0 in the bottom of the sixth inning when they scored four runs on two hits and capitalized on two Charger errors. The first run came across the plate when LaFave dug in and ripped a single to center field bringing in Kyle O'Boyle (Midland, Mich./Bullock Creek HS). SVSU tacked on their third run when Matt Hunt (Howell, Mich./Concordia University) reached first on an error, allowing Mike VanAlst (Clio, Mich.) to score. The final two runs of the inning crossed the plate when Brandon Schwanz (Novi, Mich./Henry Ford CC) drove a single up the middle of the field, giving the Cardinals the 5-0 victory over Hillsdale.
Junior Carson Beauchaine (Fraiser, Mich.) pitched a complete game for Saginaw Valley, allowing only three hits and striking out four. LaFave led the way for the Cardinals going two-for-three at the plate with one RBI and scoring twice, while Schwanz knocked in two runs and had one hit.
Game 2
Hillsdale was the first to get the lead in game two when they scored one run on one hit in the top of the second inning, but it would not last long as the Cardinals would answer back in the bottom of the fourth inning scoring two runs on one hit and two Charger errors.
Saginaw Valley's first run came across the plate when Ryan Ermers (Sterling Heights, Mich./Henry Ford II HS) reached first on an error by the pitcher, allowing O'Boyle to cross the plate. Sophomore Michael Craig (Milan, Mich.) stepped in with bases loaded and laced a single through the right side of the field, scoring Andy Orr (Utica, Mich.), giving SVSU the 2-1 lead.
The Chargers knotted the score at 2-2 in the top of the fifth inning when they scored on a Cardinal throwing error, but Saginaw Valley regained their lead in the bottom of the inning when Schwanz singled to right center, scoring Hunt from third.
Hillsdale would once again tie the score at 3-3 in the top of the sixth when Scott Lantis laid down a bunt single, bringing in the runner on third.
The Cardinals scored the final run they would need to secure the 4-3 win in the bottom of the sixth when LaFave doubled to right field, scoring pinch runner Nathan Kuehne (Midland, Mich.).
Mike Saunders (Mt. Morris, Mich./E.A. Johnson HS) picked up the win, pitching six innings with three strikeouts, while Derek Kilmer (Birmingham, Mich/Brother Rice HS) pitched one inning, earning the save. Orr led the way for SVSU with one hit in two at-bats, scoring once and driving in one run, while LaFave went one-for-two with one RBI.
Saginaw Valley will be back in action Sunday (Mar. 25) when they continue their series against Hillsdale. First pitch is scheduled for noon.