UNIVERSITY CENTER, Mich. – The Saginaw Valley State University softball team was swept by the University of Findlay today (Apr. 15), falling 2-0 in eight innings and 3-0. With the losses the Cardinals fall to 17-21 overall on the season and 10-14 in the GLIAC, while the Oilers improve to 22-17 overall on the season and 15-11 in the GLIAC.
Game 1
The game remained scoreless through seven innings of play, sending the contest into extra innings. The contest was a pitcher's duel with only seven hits combined in the first seven innings of play.
Findlay broke open the score board in the top of the eighth inning when Brittany Dauterman hit a home run over the left field fence giving the Oilers a 2-0 lead over the Cardinals.
Saginaw Valley looked to start something in the bottom of the eighth inning when Kalie Burdick (Milford, Mich.) led off with a single deep in the second base hole. Senior Ashley Coffin (Sterling Heights, Mich./Stephenson HS) hit a double to the left field fence that advanced pinch runner Katie Smith (Clarkston, Mich.) to third base, but the Cardinals would not be able to push any runs across the plate.
Alexa Gehrls (Caledonia, Mich.) suffered the loss for SVSU pitching all eight innings with six strikeouts, while Coffin and Amanda Kimes (Caledonia, Mich.) were both two-for-four on the contest.
Game 2
Findlay jumped out early against the Cardinals in the bottom of the second inning when Carly Borders hit a solo home run over the center field fence.
The Oilers tacked on two more runs in the bottom of the third inning to take the 3-0 advantage over Saginaw Valley.
The Cardinals tried to get something going in the top of the fifth inning when Mackenzie Rousse (Bay City, Mich./Western HS) reached first on a fielder's choice and advanced to third on a double from senior Natalie Wellman (Fairhaven, Mich./Anchor Bay HS).
Junior Jillian Williamson (Unionville, Mich./USA HS) suffered the loss pitching six innings, while the Cardinals scattered seven hits throughout the contest.
The Cardinals will be back in action on Wednesday (Apr. 18) when they travel to Lake Superior State. Game time is scheduled 3:00 PM.