UNIVERSITY CENTER, Mich. – The Saginaw Valley State University women's softball team split against Northwood today (Mar. 31) in the 2012 home opener. The Cardinals defeated the Timberwolves 6-2 in game one and fell 3-2 in game two. With the split Saginaw Valley moves to 10-12 overall on the season and 3-5 in the GLIAC, while Northwood moves to 6-16 overall on the season and 3-7 in the GLIAC. 

Game 1
The Cardinals jumped on the Timberwolves early scoring three runs on three hits and capitalizing on one Northwood error in the bottom of the first inning. Freshman Jordan Randall (Clinton Twp., Mich.) started the SVSU offense with a lead off single to center field and stole second base. Ashley Coffin (Sterling Heights, Mich./Stephenson HS) kept the offense going as she singled to center, advancing Randall to third. The first Cardinal run crossed home when junior Kailah Happ (Waterford, Mich./Kettering HS) hit the third straight single of the inning up the middle, bringing in Randall. Saginaw Valley tacked on two more runs when Lindsay Hayward (Ancaster, Ont.) reached first on an error, allowing both Coffin and Happ to score. 

The Cardinals took the 4-0 advantage over Northwood in the bottom of the second innings when Happ picked up her second RBI of the contest, knocking in Randall on a single to right field.

The Timberwolves started a comeback in the bottom of the fourth inning when they scored two runs on a Natalie Lampman homerun over the left field fence, making the score 4-2. 

Saginaw Valley answered back in the bottom of the fifth inning when junior Jenna Holmes (Jenison, Mich.) drove a two run homerun over the left field fence, allowing the Cardinals to go on to a 6-2 victory over the Timberwolves.

Junior Jillian Williamson (Unionville/Sebewaing, Mich.) started in the circle, pitching all seven innings with four strikeouts. Randall was two-for-two at the plate with two stolen bases, while Holmes ended the contest going one-for-two with two runs batted in.

Game 2
The game remained scoreless until the bottom of the third inning when Northwood took their first lead of the day scoring one run on two hits.

Saginaw Valley wasted no time, knotting the score at 1-1 in the top of the fourth inning when Hayward laced a single to the shortstop that allowed Happ to score from third.

The Timberwolves regained the lead in the bottom of the fifth inning when Lampman hit a single to left center that brought in the runner from third.

Northwood tacked on an insurance run in the bottom of the six innings on a double down the left field line, giving them the 3-1 advantage over the Cardinals.

Saginaw Valley tried to battle back in the top of the seventh inning when pinch hitter Kalie Burdick (Milford, Mich.) drove a single to right field that allowed freshman Mallie Hall (Chicago, Ill./Bolingbrook HS) to cross home, but it was not enough as the Cardinals fell 3-2 

Junior pitcher Alexa Gehrls (Caledonia, Mich.) suffered the loss, pitching six innings with four strikeouts. Hayward was one-for-two at the plate with one RBI, while Burdick was one-for-one with one RBI for the Cardinals.

Saginaw Valley will be back in action on Sunday (Apr. 1) when they have re-match against Northwood University. First pitch is scheduled for noon.