KISSIMMEE, Fla. - The Saginaw Valley State University softball team rebounded on day three of the Rebel Spring Games to improve their overall record to 3-3 on the season. The Cardinals defeated Northern State in their early game by a score of 4-2, before beating Holy Family, 6-4, in game two.
Game One vs. Northern State - Box Score
Jenna Holmes (Jenison, Mich.) got the Cardinals on the scoreboard first against Northern State with a two-out, two RBI double up the middle that scored Amanda Kimes (Caladonia, Mich.) and Lindsay Hayward (Ancaster, Ont.) for the 2-0 advantage.
Mackenzie Rousse (Bay City, Mich./Western HS) would help SVSU increase its lead to 4-0 with a line drive double down the left field line that plated Kailah Happ (Waterford, Mich. / Kettering HS) and Samantha Sutton (Armada, Mich.) in the bottom of the second inning.
Northern would finally get on the scoreboard in the top of the sixth on a questionable two-run homer that landed between two fences to cut the Saginaw Valley lead to 4-2.
Sarah Vrabel (Canfield, Ohio) would enter the game in relief of starter Jillian Williamson (Sebewaing, Mich. / Unionville Sebewaing Area HS) to close the game out and record her first career save. Williamson threw five strong innings allowing just two runs, while striking out four on the afternoon to pick up her first win of the season.
Game Two vs Holy Family - Box Score
The Saginaw Valley bats stayed hot to start the second game against Holy Family as the Cardinals pounded out five hits and five runs. Hayward would deal the big blow with a double that scored both Kimes and Jordan Randall (Clinton Twp., Mich.). Holy Family would try and rally in the bottom half of the inning but would only be able to score one run before the SVSU defense turned them away.
The Cardinals would add their final run in the top of the fourth inning when Holmes reached first on an infield single that allowed Kimes to score from third base.
The Tigers would put together a rally in the bottom of the sixth, scoring three runs on three hits to cut the Saginaw Valley advantage to 6-4.
Vrabel would once again close out the game for her second save on the afternoon and help to secure freshman Sarah Appold's (Bay City, Mich. / Valley Lutheran HS) first career collegiate win.
The Cardinals will have an off day on Tuesday but will return to action on Wednesday (Mar. 6) when they play Rockhurst and Fayetteville State at the Rebel Spring Games.