ALLENDALE, Mich. – The Saginaw Valley State University softball team split with Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) rival Grand Valley today (Apr. 6), defeating the Lakers 2-1 in game one, before falling 11-0 in five innings in game two. With the split the Cardinals move to 14-14 overall on the season and 7-7 in the GLIAC, while the Lakers move to 29-7 overall on the season and 12-4 in the GLIAC.

Game 1
Saginaw Valley started their offense early in game one as they had back-to-back singles to start off the top of the first inning. Freshman Jordan Randall (Clinton Twp., Mich.) had a leadoff single down the left field line and junior Kailah Happ (Waterford, Mich./Kettering HS) followed with a single to left field. Senior Natalie Wellman drove in Randall when she singled to first base, giving the Cardinals an early 1-0 lead in the top of the first inning.

Saginaw Valley tacked on an insurance run in the top of the fifth inning when Jenna Holmes (Jenison, Mich.) singled down the left field line, allowing Lindsay Hayward (Ancaster, Ont.) to score from second base.

Grand Valley scored their only run of the contest in the bottom of the seventh inning, but was unable to put anything else together against the Cardinal defense.

Junior pitcher Alexa Gehlrs (Caledonia, Mich.) went the distance in the circle, pitching all seven innings with six strikeouts and allowing only two walks. Wellman led the way for the Cardinals going three-for-four at the plate with one run batted in, while Happ was two-for-four at the plate.

Game 2
The Laker offense wasted no time getting on the board in game two as the scored three runs on three hits in the top of the first inning.

Grand Valley took the 8-0 lead over SVSU in the top of the third inning when they scored five runs on two doubles and two homeruns.

The Laker lead was extended to 11-0 in the top of the fourth inning when they scored their final three runs of the contest on five hits.

Saginaw Valley tried to get something going in the bottom of the fifth inning when freshman Mallie Hall (Chicago, Ill./Bolingbrook HS) and senior Ashley Coffin (Sterling Heights, Mich./Stephenson HS) had back-to-back singles, but would be unable to score.

Jillian Williamson (Unionville, Mich./USA HS) suffered the loss for Saginaw Valley pitching 2.2 innings, while freshman Kayla Kazmeirski (Pinconning, Mich.) pitched 2.1 innings in relief. Hall and Coffin led the way for the Cardinals notching the only hits of the contest for the Cardinals.

Saginaw Valley will be back in action on Saturday (Apr. 7) when they have a rematch against Grand Valley. First pitch is scheduled for 1:00 PM.