CHILLICOTHE, Ohio - The Saginaw Valley State University baseball team fell to Wayne State University 4-2 today (May 9) in the first round of the 2012 GLIAC Baseball Tournament.
The Cardinals got off to a quick start as they manufactured one run on one hit in the opening inning.
Third baseman Andy Orr (Utica, Mich.) came through with a two out base hit through the left side to score Brandon Schwanz (Novi, Mich./Henry Ford CC) to give SVSU an early 1-0 edge. Schwanz reached after a base on balls on four pitches.
Saginaw Valley threatened to score in the second inning as they put runners on first and third with one out but a double play from second to home ended the momentum.
Starting pitcher Carson Beauchaine (Fraser, Mich.) would give up his first hit of the game in the fourth inning with two outs on a hard hit ball to third base.
The Warriors rallied in the bottom of the fifth inning as they recorded three consecutive singles to load the bases with no outs. A fielder's choice ground ball to second base scored one run before a sacrifice fly gave Wayne State the go-ahead run for a 2-1 Warrior lead after six innings.
Wayne State's Chris Gabara would add a two-run home run in the bottom of the seventh to push their lead to 4-1.
The Cardinals battled back in the top of the eighth inning as Matt Hunt (Howell, Mich./Concordia University) hit a bloop single just inside the right field line. The base hit caused a throwing error by the second baseman as Chris Perkovich (Canton, Mich.) advanced home to bring SVSU within two, 4-2.
SVSU would load the bases later in the eighth before leaving them stranded after posting one run in the frame.
Saginaw Valley was unable gain momentum going down in order in the top of the ninth as Wayne State went on to victory by a 4-2 final.
Beauchaine allowed four runs in the fifth inning and sixth innings giving up six hits. Beauchaine threw 101 pitches in seven innings of action with two strikeouts and one walk. Carson now moves to 3-5 on the season with one of the lowest ERAs in the GLIAC.
Mike Schaaf (Saginaw, Mich./Arthur Hill HS) came on in relief for Beauchaine and walked his first batter before setting down the rest.
Brad Schalk (Sterling Heights, Mich./Bishop Foley HS) and Mike VanAlst (Clio, Mich.) each recorded a hit in the loss.
The Cardinals will face Ashland Thursday (May 10) at 10:30 AM at V.A. Memorial Stadium in Chillicothe, Ohio.
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