UNIVERSITY CENTER, Mich. – The Saginaw Valley State University baseball team hosted Rochester Christian University on Tuesday afternoon. The Cardinals (15-6) defeated the Warriors (3-16) by a score of 15-5, powered by an explosive 11-run sixth inning.
Seven pitchers took the mound for SVSU, with six relievers each tossing one inning. Will Juday started the game, pitching three innings while allowing two runs on three hits and a walk, striking out four. Jordan Lewis (W, 1-0) was the most effective out of the bullpen, striking out two batters in his perfect inning of work. Chase Raymond, Ethan Rose, and Zane Wilson all recorded multi-hit games, with Rose driving in four runs and scoring twice.
Rochester struck first with a two-run double in the top of the first inning. SVSU responded quickly, as Rose delivered the first of his two two-RBI singles in the second inning. Mitchell Walters followed with an RBI single to right field, scoring Rose and putting the Cardinals ahead 3-2.
SVSU added another run in the fourth before breaking the game open in the sixth inning. The Cardinals plated 11 runs on three hits and two errors, capitalizing on control issues from the Warriors' pitching staff. A total of 17 batters came to the plate in the inning, with Raymond, Rose, and Corbin Larkin each contributing two-run singles.
In addition to Lewis, five other relievers—Ethan Marshall, Ben Kochany, Daniel Wilcome, Carter Woody, and Jacob Bardwell—each pitched one inning. Marshall allowed two hits and a walk while striking out two. Kochany struck out all three batters he faced, allowing just one walk. Wilcome and Bardwell retired the side in order, recording one and two strikeouts, respectively. Woody faced the most trouble, allowing three runs (two earned) on three hits in the eighth inning while striking out one. In total, SVSU pitchers combined for 15 strikeouts.
Up Next: Saginaw Valley heads to Missouri this weekend for a three-game series against William Jewell. The series begins on Friday, March 28, with one game scheduled each day through Sunday. First pitch on Friday is set for 6:00 PM EDT at Tally Stadium in Liberty, Missouri.
