DES PLAINES, Ill. -- The SVSU Softball team opened its 2020 campaign with a pair of victories on Thursday (Feb. 20), defeating the host Lewis University Flyers and Illinois-Springfield Prairie Stars at the Rosemont Dome Invitational. 

The Cardinals held on for a tight 10-9 victory over the Flyers in their first game of the day before continuing on to take down the Prairie Stars by a 6-1 score in the nightcap. 

Game #1

In the opener, SVSU bounced back from a 5-1 first inning deficit and had the Lewis lead at 6-4 after two full innings. The Cardinals then put up four runs in the top of the 5th inning to take an 8-6 edge over the Flyers. 

Single runs for the Cards in the top of the 6th and 7th innings, respectively, had their lead at 10-6 heading into the last of the 7th. 

Lewis scored three runs and had the tying run in scoring position, but the Cardinals were able to seal the 10-9 victory.

Jackie Popko went 4-5 with two RBI. Sarah Gersch, Julia Salisbury and Sabrina Sage all had a pair of hits and RBI as well. Blasia Moyler added two hits with an RBI. Moyler and Sage had the only extra-base hits with triples for SV.

Alyssa Muench picked up her first career victory in the circle. She worked 6.1 innings of relief, allowing four runs on 10 hits with four strikeouts and two walks. Kasey Bagelmann picked up the save, getting the final out of the game to secure the win. 

Game #2

The Cardinals jumped out in front right away, taking a 2-0 lead over the Prairie Stars in the bottom of the 1st inning. A run in the second and three in the bottom of the 4th would follow, giving Saginaw Valley a 6-0 edge. UIS scored its lone run in the top of the 6th, but that would be all for the scoring on their end and the Cards closed-out for the 6-1 victory.

Salisbury went 3-4 in the nightcap with an RBI and Shelby Misiak added two hits with as many RBI. Gersch had two hits in three tries, knocking in an RBI and scoring two runs. Moyler added two hits and an RBI, walk and run.

Jaclyn Groves pitched 5.1 innings for the win, allowing one run on four hits. She had four strikeouts and four walks. Julia Mundy closed the game out with the final 1.2 innings. She allowed zero hits or runs with two strikeouts. 

Up Next...

Saginaw Valley continues on Friday (Feb. 21) with games against William Jewell at 12:00 p.m. and Lindenwood at 4:30 p.m. Those times are both eastern time. You can catch the results later in the day at svsucardinals.com.

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