COLUMBUS, Ohio – The Saginaw Valley State University softball team dropped two games to Ohio Dominican today (Mar. 25) in a Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) contest, falling 6-0 in game one and 10-6 in game two. With the losses the Cardinals fall to 9-11 overall on the season and 2-4 in the GLIAC, while the Panthers improve to 12-10 overall on the season, and 6-0 in the GLIAC.
Game 1
Ohio Dominican lit up the scoreboard early in the contest bringing in their first runs when Kylee Crislip hit a two run homerun over the center field fence, giving the Panthers a 2-0 lead. Ohio Dominican extended their lead to 4-0 in the bottom of the fifth inning when Crislip drove her second homerun of the game out over the left center fence.
The Cardinals looked to get their offense started in the top of the fourth inning when Ashley Coffin reached first on a fielder's choice and stole second, but would be unable to come around to score.
The Panthers added their final two runs of the contest in the bottom of the sixth inning on back-to-back doubles, each bringing a run across the plate, allowing them to go on to a 6-0 victory over Saginaw Valley.
Junior Jillian Williamson (Unionville/Sebewaing, Mich./Unionville Sebewaing Area HS) suffered the loss pitching six innings with three strikeouts making her 2-8 overall on the season and 1-2 in the GLIAC. Junior Devon Eley (Centreville, Mich.) would have the only hit for the Cardinals when she singled down the left field line in the top of the sixth inning.
Game 2
Ohio Dominican kept their offense going in game two as they scored their first two runs in the top of the second inning, taking a quick 2-0 lead over Saginaw Valley.
The lead would not last long as junior Jenna Holmes (Jenison, Mich.) drove her first of two homeruns over the left field fence, knotting the score at 2-2.
The Panther offense responded in the top of the third inning when they scored eight runs on seven hits, allowing them to take a 10-2 advantage.
The Cardinals continued to battle back as Holmes hit a three run homerun down the left field line in the bottom of the fourth inning bringing Saginaw Valley within five of Ohio Dominican.
Saginaw Valley starting a rally in the bottom of the seventh inning when the freshman duo of Jordan Randall (Clinton Twp., Mich.) and Mackenzie Rousse (Bay City, Mich./Western HS) each picked up a hit. Randall led off the inning with a double down the left field line and Rousse laced a single to left center that allowed Randall to cross the plate. The lone run was not enough as Ohio Dominican defeated SVSU 10-6.
Alexa Gehrls (Caledonia, Mich.) got the start in the circle pitching 2.2 innings, suffering the loss, while Jill Kaltz (Sterling Heights, Mich./Henry Ford II HS) pitched 4.1 innings in the circle. Holmes led the way for Saginaw Valley going two-for-three at the plate with two homeruns and five RBI's, while Natalie Wellman (Fairhaven, Mich,/Anchor Bay HS) also went two-for-three at the plate.
The Cardinals will be back in action on Saturday (Mar. 31) when they take on Northwood for their 2012 home opener. First pitch is scheduled for 1:00 PM.