UNIVERSITY CENTER, Mich. - The Saginaw Valley State University baseball team picked up a 4-1 victory in their 2013 home opener over the University of Findlay today (April 2).
Andy Orr (Utica, Mich.) opened the scoring for the Cardinals (5-12, 3-4 GLIAC) in the bottom of the fourth inning when he ripped a double to the gap in left center. Kyle O'Boyle (Midland, Mich. / Bullock Creek) came around to score on the play giving SVSU the early 1-0 edge.
Two batters later, Chris Perkovich (Canton, Mich.) rolled one through the left side of the infield scoring both Chet LaFave (Charlotte, Mich.) and Orr to give Saginaw Valley the 3-0 advantage through four innings.
In the fifth inning, Chet LaFave gave the Cardinals a 4-0 lead as he went to the opposite field to score Andy Orr from second base after Orr recorded his second double of the contest.
Findlay battled back in the top of the eighth inning after managing to score just one run after having the bases loaded with no outs. Justin Drzewicki (Bay City, Mich. / Central) came in with the bases full of Oilers and got a tapper back to the mound and proceeded to turn the 1-2-3 inning ending double play.
Starting pitcher Carson Beauchaine (Fraser, Mich.) had his best outing for the season as he threw seven scoreless innings (108 pitches), allowing just two hits while striking out six Oilers. Beauchaine's first victory of the year makes him 1-1 on the campaign.
Saginaw Valley put the Cardinals away in the final inning as Drzewicki picked up his 15th career save, tying the SVSU school record set by Scott Clark from 1994 to 1995.
The SVSU pitching staff allowed just three hits, while the five Cardinal hitters (O'Boyle, LaFave, Orr, Perkovich and Dylin Eschenburg) recorded two hits each. Andy Orr also extended his hit streak to eight straight contests.
The two teams will be back in action again tomorrow for a home doubleheader starting at noon.