CHILLICOTHE, Ohio - The Saginaw Valley State University baseball team was victorious over Ashland University today (May 10) by a 4-1 final score on day two of the 2012 GLIAC Baseball Tournament. Ashland is now eliminated from the GLIAC Tournament as Saginaw Valley awaits their next opponent.
For the second straight day Saginaw Valley jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the first inning.
Matt Hunt (Howell, Mich./Concordia University) led things off for SVSU as he reached on an error by the Ashland third baseman. A Brandon Schwanz (Novi, Mich./Henry Ford CC) sacrifice bunt moved Hunt over to second before an Andy Orr (Utica, Mich.) bloop single to shallow right center field moved Hunt to third.
Chet LaFave (Charlotte, Mich./Olney Central College) put the Cardinals on the scoreboard as he picked up an RBI on a single to left center scoring Hunt.
Ashland would tie the game up at 1-1 in the top of the third inning after an infield single and a Cardinal error pushed an unearned run across.
The Cardinal offense found some rhythm in the bottom half of the third as freshman Brad Schalk (Sterling Heights, Mich./Bishop Foley HS) came through with a full count, two out double to the gap in left center. The two RBI extra base hit plated LaFave and Schwanz to give SVSU the lead at 3-1.
The middle three innings both teams were unable to score any runs as the contest remained 3-1.
Saginaw Valley broke the scoring drought with a two out RBI single up the middle on a 1-0 count to plate Ermers, who walked on a full count to leadoff the seventh inning. The run gave SVSU a 4-1 advantage
The Eagles would rally in the top of the ninth inning when they posted two singles with one out to start off the frame. Chris Perkovich (Canton, Mich.) made a great play on a tough chopper to short as he threw out the Eagle runner in a close play at first.
Saunders would get the final out on a line drive to Schwanz in left to get the 4-1 victory and knock Ashland out of the tournament.
Starting pitcher and All-GLIAC First Teamer Mike Saunders (Mt. Morris, Mich./EA Johnson) threw a complete game, allowing just five hits, two walks and no earned runs while striking out seven batters. Saunders threw 120 pitches, including 80 for strikes as he moves to 7-2 on the year.
The Cardinals will face the loser of the Wayne State and Lake Erie match-up on Friday (May 11) at 2:00 PM at V.A. Memorial Stadium in Chillicothe, Ohio.
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