UNIVERSITY CENTER, Mich. – The Saginaw Valley State University softball team swept Hillsdale College today (Apr. 24), 10-3 in game one and 12-0 in game two, in their final contests of the 2012 season.
Game 1
The Cardinals took a quick 3-0 lead over the Chargers in the bottom of the first on three hits. The first run came across the plate when Jenna Holmes (Jenison, Mich.) singled up the middle, scoring Ashley Coffin. Senior Natalie Wellman (Fairhaven, Mich./Anchor Bay HS) touched home on a wild pitch. SVSU scored one more run to finish the inning when Kailah Happ (Waterford, Mich./Kettering HS) singled through the left side of the field, bringing in Holmes.
The Cardinals tacked on two more runs in the bottom of the third inning when Happ drove a single to right center, scoring both Lindsay Hayward (Ancaster, Ont.) and Wellman.
Hillsdale would knock the SVSU lead down to two in the top of the fourth inning when they scored three runs on three hits.
The Cardinals took the 8-3 advantage in the bottom of the fourth inning when Wellman drove a three run homerun over the left center field fence, scoring both Coffin and Jordan Randall (Clinton Twp., Mich.).
Saginaw Valley added their final two runs of the contest in the bottom of the fifth inning. The first run crossed home when Randall singled to first and came around to score when Wellman reached first on an error. The final run of the contest touched home when Hayward singled down the left field line, scoring Wellman.
Junior Alexa Gehrls (Caledonia, Mich.) picked up her 15th win of the season, pitching a complete game with six strikeouts. Wellman led the way for SVSU with three runs batted in and scoring four times, while Happ was two-for-three at the plate with three runs batted in.
Game 2
Saginaw Valley came out with their bats swinging in game two when they scored five runs on five hits and capitalized on three Hillsdale errors. The Cardinals scored their first run when Randall singled to right field and came around the bases on a Hillsdale error and two wild pitches. Coffin scored the second run for SVSU when she singled up the middle and scored when Hayward touched first on a Charger error. The Cardinals took the 3-0 lead when Holmes lined a single up the middle, allowing Wellman to score.
SVSU extended their lead to 4-0 when Happ singled to shallow center field, advancing Hayward to home. The final run of the inning crossed the plate when the Chargers over threw third base, allowing Happ to score.
The Cardinals tacked on seven more runs in the top of the second inning taking the 12-0 lead over Hillsdale, scoring all the runs they would need to secure the shutout win. Saginaw Valley scored their seven runs on five hits and one Charger error. SVSU's first run came across the plate when Holmes singled up the middle, bringing around Coffin.
Saginaw Valley tacked on two more runs when they loaded the bases and the Hillsdale pitcher walked in two. The fourth run of the inning crossed home when Rousse singled over the third baseman's head, scoring Holmes.
The Cardinals took the 11-0 lead when Randall reached first on an error that scored both Kalie Burdick (Milford, Mich.) and Amanda Kimes (Caledonia, Mich.). The final SVSU run of the contest touched home when Coffin laid down a bunt single, scoring Rousse and securing the 12-0 win over Hillsdale.
The Chargers were unable to push a run across the plate through the remaining three innings as Jillian Williamson (Unionville, Mich./USA HS) and the Cardinal defense allowed only two hits in five innings. Williamson finished the contest with seven strikeouts and allowing only one walk, while Coffin led the way going three-for-four at the plate with one run batted in and scored twice.
Saginaw Valley's 2012 season ended with a 21-25 overall record and a 14-18 record in the GLIAC. Hillsdale falls to 25-22 overall on the season and 17-15 in the GLIAC.