UNIVERSITY CENTER -- The SVSU Cardinals closed out a four-game series with Walsh on Saturday (Apr. 29) afternoon with a doubleheader at the SVSU Baseball Complex. SVSU posted a four-run fifth inning but allowed a late run to drop the opener, 5-4. The home team then rebounded with 10 hits in the nightcap, posting an 8-5 victory over the Cavaliers.  

Game Three

For the third straight contest, Walsh would post the first run on the scoreboard. The Cavaliers jumped ahead 1-0 in the top of the first inning with a sacrifice fly and then would retire the Cardinals in order in the bottom half. 

Saginaw Valley had its first chance to cut into a 2-0 deficit in the bottom of the 3rd inning, as the Cardinals used a pair of walks and a fielders choice to load the bases with two outs. SVSU left the bases juiced as a fly out ended the threat. 

Walsh added on to the 2-0 lead with single runs in the fourth inning off another sac fly and then another run in the fifth inning to push the score to 4-0 in favor of the visitors. 

Saginaw Valley broke through offenisvely in the bottom frame, sending nine batters to the plate and scoring four runs to tie things up at 4-4. The Cardinals scored their first run on an opposite field single from Nate Blackwell that plated Gerrit Eding from first base. Blackwell advanced to second base on a fielding error and later scored on a two-RBI single from Mason Schwellenbach. His RBI base knock also scored Garrett Soule. 

The Cardinals tied up the contest as Schwellenbach advanced to second base on a wild pitch. He then scored on a line drive single through the right side from Cole Brooks, who knotted the score at 4-4 after five innings of play. 

Saginaw Valley allowed a single run in the sixth inning to Walsh after putting runners on the corners. A wild pitch brought home the go-ahead run for the Cavaliers, who then retired the next six Cardinal batters in order to claim the 5-4 victory.

Inside the Boxscore

• Schwellenbach posted one of SVSU's three total hits with his RBI single in the fifth inning that plated two runs. He also scored a run as well. 
• Brooks provided the other SVSU run with his hard line single into line field. He went 1-for-3 with an RBI and a strikeout. 
• Blackwell registered a base hit and went 1-for-2 with a walk and a run scored. 

On the Mound

•  Alex Millhisler toed the slab for the Cardinals in Game 3. He would not factor into the decision after going 5.0 innings and allowing four runs (3 ER) on 10 hits, no walks and three strikeouts.
• Brian Feinauer took the loss (L, 2-3) after replacing Millhisler in the sixth inning. He pitched two innings in relief for SVSU, giving up one run on two base hits with two walks and striking out four. 

Game Four

The Cardinals struck first to open the second half of the doubleheader. SVSU only allowed a base hit to Walsh in the top of the first inning before taking control of the game offensively.

Adam Fitzgibbon led off with a triple and was then driven in on the next play as Schwellenbach reached base with an RBI single and gave the Cardinals the 1-0 lead. Chad Carson then rifled a base hit past the third baseman to put two runners on with no outs. 

Saginaw Valley then plated two runs later in the inning. Jordan Swiss stepped into the box and roped a double down the left field line to score Carson and Schwellenbach to extend the SVSU lead out to 3-0. Swiss was brought home moments later on a three-run home run from Gerrit Eding. His first career long ball put SVSU in control of the game early with a 6-0 lead. 

Walsh got a run back in the top of the third inning with a sacrifice fly, giving the Cavaliers their first run of the nightcap.

SVSU regained the run in the bottom half of the inning on a squeeze bunt by Carson that scored Fitzgibbon, who ended up at third base after a failed pickoff attempt. 

The Cardinals moved into the fifth inning still holding on to a 7-1 lead on Walsh when Swiss struck again, this time scoring Cole Brooks on an RBI double. His second extra base hit of the game and third RBI now extended the advantage to seven. 

Walsh began to work its way back into the contest in the top of the sixth inning. The Cavaliers mounted a four-run rally in the inning and chased Cardinals starter Jason Clark from the game. He departed after a wild pitch and a two-RBI double cut the SVSU edge down to 8-4. Walsh added another run, however, pulling to within three runs of SVSU at 8-5.

SVSU's three-run lead lasted into the top of the ninth with Brendan Wise pitching to close-out the game. After allowing a lead-off walk and single, Wise got the final two outs he needed to give the Cardinals the 8-5 win.

Inside the Boxscore

• Saginaw Valley registered eight runs on 10 base hits and had two walks. 
• Swiss notched three RBI and a pair of doubles in his four appearances at the plate. He also scored a run. 
• Eding finished with a pair of base hits and drove in three runs, including his home run. 
• Fitzgibbon had a triple and a base hit while going two runs. He went 2-for-5 at the plate. 

On the Mound

• Clark took home the win (2-1) for the Cardinals. He started the nightcap with 5.1 innings pitched, allowing three runs (2 ER) on three hits, walked six and struck-out two. 
• Tristan Faunce then replaced Clark on the mound. He faced three batters and allowed two runs on two hits with one walk. 
• Brandon Wise earned the save (1) by pitching 3.2 innings in relief. He only allowed four base hits and walked one to help lock down the victory for SVSU.

Up Next...

The Cardinasl close-out the final weekend of the 2017 season with a four-game home-and-home series with the GVSU Lakers on Friday. The Cardinals travel to Allendale for a doubleheader beginning at 1:00 pm on May 5 before the series shifts to the SVSU Baseball Complex on Sunday (May 7) for the home finale. First pitch on Sunday is set for Noon.

@SVSUBaseball | #svsubsb | @SVSUAthletics | #GoSVSU