LANSING, Mich. – The Saginaw Valley State University baseball team opened the GLIAC Tournament at Jackson Field on Thursday morning with a matchup against Grand Valley. The Cardinals (29-21) fell 5-1 to the Lakers (40-10) but recorded seven strikeouts, bringing their season total to 438—a new program record for the third consecutive year.
Jack Decker (L, 9-3) started on the mound for SVSU, pitching five innings. He allowed five runs on four hits and three walks while striking out four. Ben Kochany followed with three scoreless innings, giving up just one hit and one walk while striking out three.
Austin Cicerone led the Cardinals offensively, going 3-for-4 at the plate. Lucas Mead scored SVSU's only run and finished 1-for-4, while Zane Wilson drove in the run with an RBI.
Decker struck out two in the first inning before notching the record-breaking strikeout in the second. The third inning proved costly for the Cardinals, as the Lakers plated five runs on three hits, two walks, and an error. SVSU struggled to break through against Grand Valley starter Jayden Dentler (W, 11-0), who threw eight scoreless innings. In the ninth, Dentler was pulled after giving up two singles. A walk loaded the bases, and Wilson's sacrifice fly made it 5-1. However, a double play ended the Cardinals' rally and the game.
Up Next: Saginaw Valley will face the loser of the Davenport vs. Roosevelt game in an elimination matchup on Friday, May 9. First pitch is scheduled for 11:00 AM EDT at Jackson Field in Lansing, Michigan.
