ALLENDALE – The Saginaw Valley State University baseball team hit the road for another weekend GLIAC series, this one against the #18 Grand Valley State University Lakers. The Cardinals came through for a 5-1 victory in the seven inning opener before dropping the second contest by a 5-0 count.
Game One
Neither team was able to push any runs across the plate in the first three innings, as the teams entered the fourth frame knotted at 0-0.
SVSU went off for five runs in the top of the 4th, grabbing the 5-0 advantage. The visitors began the inning with three consecutive hits, as Richard Guglielmi, Brendan Harrison and Dylan Schultz all singled to load the bases for Kyle Kaufmann. Kaufmann was hit by a pitch, pushing Guglielmi across for the first run. Brad Schalk followed with another single, scoring Harrison for the second run. Chris Perkovich reached on an error next, scoring Schultz. A fielder's choice on an Austin Plasterer ball put in play scored Kaufmann and a Chad Carson RBI single plated Schalk, giving the Cards the five run advantage.
The Cardinals allowed just a single run from there, as the Lakers scored a run in the bottom of the seventh, making the score 5-1.
That's what the score would remain, with Saginaw Valley closing out for the four-run victory.
Scott Sency improved to 3-0 on the young season after tossing 6.0 innings, allowing five hits and striking-out four batters. He allowed two walks in the contest.
Schultz was 3-for-3 with a walk and a run scored. Schalk had two hits with an RBI and a run. Harrison and Perkovich each added a pair of hits, with Harrison scoring a run. The Cardinals had 13 hits in the game, all of which were singles.
Game Two
The Cardinals out-hit the Lakers by an 8-6 count in the second game but couldn't capitalize and score any runs. GVSU took advantage of three SVSU errors, as four of their five runs scored in the victory were unearned.
SV got runners to third base four different innings in the contest but the rallies stalled. The Lakers' runs came by scoring two in the 1st, one in the 4th and another pair in their half of the 5th.
Guglielmi had two hits in the nightcap to lead the Cardinal offense.
Michael Ellenbest (1-3) took the loss on the hill, working 5.0 innings. He allowed just one earned run and had four strikeouts in the contest.
The Cardinals are now an even 7-7 overall on the season with a 2-4 mark in GLIAC play. GVSU is 11-8 and 3-3 in league play.
The two teams are back at it on Sunday (Mar. 29) in another league doubleheader. First pitch has been moved up to 11:00 am in Allendale.