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Six-Run Eighth Inning Dooms Cardinals Against Walsh

Six-Run Eighth Inning Dooms Cardinals Against Walsh

TARBORO, N.C. – The Saginaw Valley State University baseball program started their spring trip in North Carolina Thursday evening against Walsh. The Cardinals (7-4) fell to the Cavaliers (2-6) with a six-run eighth inning pushing Walsh ahead 12-7.

Aaron Bess shined going 4-for-5 with a home run, two RBI, and three runs scored. Buck Snabes and Ryan Jarvis both had multi-hit performances with two doubles for Snabes and one for Jarvis. The pitching staff allowed 15 hits and tallied 16 strikeouts with starter, Chase Raymond, leading with seven in his four innings of work.

After a run for Walsh in the second, Bess blasted his second home run of year to tie the game in the bottom half 1-1. Bess singled in the fourth, stole second, and then advanced to third on a passed ball before scoring on a second pitch dropped by the catcher, giving SVSU a 2-1 lead.

Brady Baalaer donned the mound in the fifth. WU struck with two runs to take the one-run lead back. The Cardinals responded immediately in the bottom of the fifth when Austin Cicerone singled to score Snabes and tie the game. Lucas Mead was hit by a pitch to load the bases for Bess. A single to right scored Jarvis for the 4-3 lead and Jordan Lewis followed with a sacrifice fly to score Cicerone and double the lead.

Walsh answered with a three-spot of their own in the top of the sixth, all against Baalaer who gave way to Ben Kochany (L, 0-2). Kochany pitched effectively retiring the first five batters he faced, three on strikes. The bats rallied in the bottom of the seventh loading the bases with one out. Connor Cornwell delivered with a two-run single to give SVSU the 7-6 lead. Kochany started the eighth but allowed two walks and single to tie the game before Jake Shelagowski took over. Another single and an error scored two more, both taxed to Kochany's line to make it 9-7 Cavaliers. Walsh scored three more for the biggest inning of the game before the final out was recorded on a caught stealing at home.

Ryan Chambers (W, 2-0) pitched the final 2.1 innings for WU. The Cardinals threatened with a double in the eighth and loaded the bases in the ninth, but left all runners stranded.

Up Next: Saginaw Valley baseball gets back in action against Walsh in Tarboro, North Carolina. The Cardinals and Cavaliers do battle at Tarboro Stadium on Friday, March 7. First pitch is set for 6:00 PM EST.