UNIVERSITY CENTER, Mich. – The Saginaw Valley State University baseball team stepped up to the plate today (Apr. 11) earning their twelfth victory, defeating Wayne State by a score of 4-2 in a nine-inning contest.

The Cardinals took a quick two run lead in the bottom of the second inning as junior Josh Peterson (Midland, Mich.) drew a walk just before freshman Mike VanAlst (Clio, Mich.) stepped into the batter’s and drove a double to left center field, advancing Peterson to third base. The Cardinals would get their first run on the board with Peterson scoring via a balk from Wayne State’s pitcher. Freshman Jason Potts (Hartland, Mich.) would ground out to score VanAlst, giving Saginaw Valley a two run advantage.

Saginaw Valley’s bats would continue to stay hot in the third inning as junior Chase Coulter (Clio, Mich.) hit a lead-off single to left field. He would advance off junior Charlie Thomas’ (Northville, Mich.) ground out to third base. With a runner in scoring position, Peterson doubled down the left line, sending Coulter home to make the score 3-0. Peterson would advance to third base on another Wayne State balk, but would be unable to convert the run.

With the a homerun to lead off the seventh inning Junior Andy Ferraiuolo (Perry, Mich.) put the Cardinals up 4-0. The Cardinals would get another hit as junior Kevin Dore (Bay City, Mich.) singled through the left side; however Saginaw Valley was unable to drive him in before the end of the inning.

The Saginaw Valley defense would allow two runs in the top of the eighth inning, but would respond strongly in the ninth to end the game. Sophomore pitcher Scott Horman (St. Louis, Mich.) would take the mound for the Cardinals relieving freshman Colin Coulter (Clio, Mich.) who pitched eight innings, allowed two runs and struck out two batters. Horman struck out his first faced batter and would leave the final two outs to Saginaw Valley’s defense to end the game in a double play. Horman would end the game facing two batters, striking out one picking up his first save of the season.

With the win, Saginaw Valley moves to 12-20 overall and 8-11 in the GLIAC, while Wayne State falls to 16-17 overall, 10-8 in the GLIAC. The Cardinals will return to action as they host Northwood University on April 15 in a double-header contest.