University Center, Mich. - The Saginaw Valley State University softball team grinded out a pair of wins over Lake Superior State University to keep their chances alive for the 2013 GLIAC Tournament. Cardinals won game one 9-7 in come from behind fashion before cruising to a 6-0 victory in game two.
Game one vs. Lake Superior State - Box Score
The Cardinal offense got going in the top of the first inning on a Samantha Sutton (Armada, Mich.) single to right field. Sutton scored later in the inning on a single through the right side by Sarah Vrabel (Canfield, Ohio) to give SVSU the early 1-0 advantage.
Lake Superior State responded in the bottom of the first scoring three runs on four hits to take a 3-1 lead.
The Lakers added another run in the bottom of the third inning to increase their lead to 4-1.
Saginaw Valley started a rally in the top of the fifth inning after Mackenzie Rousse (Bay City, Mich. / Western HS) tripled down the right field line. She scored later in the inning on a Laker error to close the gap to 4-2.
Lake Superior added two runs on three hits in the bottom of the sixth inning to increase their lead to 6-2.
Senior Katie Smith (Clarkston, Mich.) led off the top of the seventh inning with an infield single. Amanda Kimes (Caledonia, Mich.) followed suit with a single up the middle. A throwing error by the Lakers allowed Smith to score the Cardinals first run of the inning. Jenna Holmes (Jenison, Mich.) reached base later in the inning on a fielders choice that allowed Kimes to cross the plate. Lindsay Hayward (Ancaster, Ont.) laced a double down the left field line to score two more runs and tie the score at 6-6. Freshman Kari Knight (Walled Lake, Mich. / Central HS) reached on a fielders choice and circled the bases all the way to third before the Laker defense could stop the Cardinals from scoring two more runs. Kailah Happ (Waterford, Mich. / Kettering HS) grounded out to second base to plate Knight as the Cardinals took a 9-6 advantage into the bottom half of the inning.
Lake Superior added a run in the bottom half of the inning but the Cardinals defense turned them back as they went on to the 9-7 victory.
Chelsea Davis (Mt. Pleasant, Mich.) picked up the win in the circle for the Cardinals pitching 2.1 innings and striking out one batter. Jillian Williamson (Sebewaing, Mich. / USA HS) picked up her first save of the season in relief in the final inning.
Game two vs. Lake Superior State - Box Score
Saginaw Valley jumped out to a fast start in the bottom of the first inning when Hayward reached on a fielders choice allowing Kaitlyn McBride (Brampton, Ont. / St. Thomas Aquinas HS) to score from third. Later in the inning Sutton scored on a throwing error by Lake Superior State to make the score 2-0.
Kimes led off the bottom of the second inning with a triple down the right field line and then scored on a Rousse bunt single. Sutton singled through the right side later in the inning for the Cardinals to plate Rousse and give SVSU the 4-0 advantage.
The Cardinals offense kept going into he bottom of the fourth inning when Kimes ripped her second triple of the game. She crossed the plate later in the inning after Rousse singled through the left side. A sacrifice fly by Smith allowed Rousse to score and give the Cardinals a 6-0 lead.
Saginaw Valley defense shut down the Lakers the rest of the game as they closed out the game with a 6-0 victory.
Davis recorded her second win on the day improving her record to 4-2 overall on the season.
With the wins, Saginaw Valley improves to 14-20 overall on the season and 10-10 in the GLIAC while Lake State falls to 7-18 overall and 5-17 in the conference. The Cardinals will return to action Saturday (Apr. 27) at Northwood University for a doubleheader scheduled to begin at 1:00 pm.