University Center, Mich. – Saginaw Valley State University baseball started a four-game Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) series with Wayne State University Friday afternoon and stranded the tying runners in scoring position as they fell 4-2. SVSU (19-17, 10-8) stranded 14 runners on base as WSU (28-7, 15-3) scored four and left five on base.
The Warriors jumped out to an early lead with two runs in the first inning. Three singles and a fielder's choice pushed a pair across giving them a 2-0 lead. Wayne State was able to extend that lead with another run in the top of the third. An error and a double allowed one unearned run to score on a sacrifice fly extending the lead to three for WSU.
Both starters went deep for both teams. Tyler McLaren (L, 7-1) was given his first loss after throwing six innings allowing four runs, three earned, and striking out seven. Ryan Korolden (W, 7-1) improved to match McLaren's record as the Cardinals were able to find some hits against him but couldn't string enough together to take a lead. Korolden pitched 7 1/3 innings allowing eight hits and struck out seven as well. He allowed one run that was earned.
In the bottom of the fourth, Reed Raymond doubled with one out. He advanced on a ground out and after a walk, he scored on a Connor McClennen bunt single. After cutting the lead to two, Wayne State answered with one of their own to make it 4-1. An RBI double in the top of the fifth was the final run against McLaren.
Nick Bastian took over in relief and pitched very well. Three scoreless innings allowing only one hit and striking out three as he gave the offense some life late in the game.
Brennan Cox (Sv, 3) took over in the middle of the eighth for the Warriors and recorded the final five outs. In the ninth, Jaccar Watkins was hit by a pitch, Colin Cornwell walked, and Martin Money doubled to score one and put the tying runner at second. Down 4-2 with two on and two outs in the ninth, Raymond walked before a strikeout ended the game.
Three Cardinal batters had multi-hit days as Watkins and Raymond finished 2-for-4, and Money had a 2-for-5 day at the plate. Raymond has extended his hitting streak to seven games and has the longest active streak after Tucker Roe snapped his 10-game hitting streak today.
UP NEXT
These two teams continue Saturday with a GLIAC doubleheader at SVSU and it's Alumni Day. First pitch is scheduled for 1:00 p.m.
