UNIVERSITY CENTER, Mich. - The Saginaw Valley State University baseball team opened Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) play Wednesday (Mar. 17) with a sweep of the Tiffin University Dragons. The Cardinals (5-6, 2-0 GLIAC) downed the Dragons (3-15, 0-2 GLIAC) by scores of 10-9 and 7-4, respectively.
Game One
Tiffin got on the board first, recording a single run in the top of the first to take the advantage. SVSU would respond quick, scoring four runs in their half of the second to take a three-run lead. A double by Kevin Dore (Kawkawlin, Mich./Muskegon CC) plated Dustin Mayner (Linden, Mich.) and Chase Coulter (Clio, Mich./Powers Catholic HS), and was followed by a Ryan Ermers (Sterling Heights, Mich./Henry Ford II HS) single up the middle that scored Dore and Matt Hunt (Howell, Mich./Concordia University).
Tiffin would cut the lead to a pair of runs in the top half of the third, but the Cardinals would score three in the bottom of four to make it a 7-2, as Dore hit his first career home run, a two-run shot over the right center wall, which scored Hunt. A Ryan Webber (Clio, Mich./Powers Catholic HS) double would later score Kyle O'Boyle (Midland, Mich./Bullock Creek HS).
The Dragons would knot the score up after putting up a five spot in their half of the sixth, and would take a 9-7 lead after scoring two more in the top of the eighth inning. SVSU would rally, however, as Ermers singled to score Hunt and a Webber single up the middle, which scored Ermers and Dore, gave the Cardinals the walk-off 10-9 victory.
Dore had three hits in the opener, with a home run, double and four RBI's. Webber also had three base-knocks with a double while driving-in three Cardinals. Ermers had a pair of hits with a double and three RBI's, while O'Boyle, Mayner and Hunt all added singles. Justin Drzewicki (Bay City, Mich./Central HS) picked-up his second win of the season in relief.
Game Two
The Cardinals would strike first in the nightcap, recording one run in the bottom of the first after Webber singled to score Ermers from second. Tiffin would tie things up with a run in the top of the fourth, and take a 4-1 lead with three runs in its half of the sixth. The Cardinals would respond with six runs in the bottom of the sixth, as O'Boyle doubled to score Dore and Ermers to cut the Dragon advantage to 4-3. Eric Burt (Saginaw, Mich./Heritage HS) would run for O'Boyle and Scott Horman (St. Louis, Mich.) would for Webber, who was hit by a pitch. Josh Peterson (Midland, Mich./Bullock Creek HS) would walk to load the bases for Charlie Thomas (Northville, Mich.), who put a belt-high fastball into the trees over the left-center wall for a grand slam, giving the Cards the 7-4 advantage. Cardinal reliever Colin Coulter (Clio, Mich./Powers HS) would hold the Dragons in the top of the seventh and record his first victory of the season.
Ermers had two hits with a pair of doubles and runs scored. O'Boyle had a pair of hits with a double and two RBI's. Thomas had two hits, including the big blow in the sixth that gave him four RBI's. Webber, Dore, and Chase Coulter each added singles in the nightcap.
The Cardinals return to action Friday (Mar. 19), as they travel to the University of Findlay for a three game GLIAC series.
