UNIVERSITY CENTER, Mich. – The Saginaw Valley State University softball team was swept by Northwood University today (May 1) 4-3, and 12-4 in a Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) match up.
GAME ONE
The Cardinals got on the board first scoring one run on 2 hits in the bottom on the second inning. Senior Angela Kaiser (Waterford, Mich. / Our Lady of the Lakes HS) singled to the third baseman and stole second base. Kaiser was able to advance to third on a sacrifice bunt by Nicole Bigelow (Grandville, Mich.) and score one an up the middle single by Billi Hoeppner (Hemlock, Mich.)
Northwood answered right back as the scored four runs on six hits in the fourth inning to give them a two run advantage. In the fifth inning Saginaw Valley rallied and scored two runs to come within a one run deficit. Sophomore Ashley Coffin (Sterling Heights, Mich. / Stephenson HS) reached first base on an error and was able to advance to second. Coffin later advanced to third base on a fly out to right field. Kaiser dug in and laced a triple to center field scoring Coffin. Junior Jillian Peterson (Freeland, Mich.) singled to left field to scorer Kaiser for the Cardinals but it would not be enough as it ended scoring for the game.
Freshman Alexa Gehrls (Caledonia, Mich.) got the start in the circle pitching all seven innings making her 1-4 on the season. Kaiser was 2-for-4 on the game and scored two times for Saginaw Valley.
GAME TWO
The Cardinals once again got on the board first scoring two runs in the top of the second inning. Coffin drew a walk and advanced to second. Senior Shannon McLaughlin (Benton Harbor, Mich. / KVCC) doubled to right center scoring Coffin. McLaughlin advanced to third and scored on a hit from Hoeppner. The Timberwolves scored six runs in the bottom of the second inning to give them a 6-4 advantage.
Saginaw Valley cut the lead to two in the third inning with two outs. Junior Kimberly Sills (Clinton Twp., Mich. / Chippewa Valley HS) singled, bringing up Kaiser. Kaiser doubled and advanced to third on the throw scoring Sills. Coffin singled to left field scoring Kaiser for the third time on the day. The Cardinals were not able to score any more runs on the afternoon as Northwood scored six more.
Senior Kari Bowlby (Elkhart, Ind.) started in the circle for Saginaw Valley going for 2.1 innings with two strikeouts making her 9-4 on the season. Lauren Memmer came in for relief going for 3.1 innings with four strikeouts.
With the loss the Cardinals fall to 25-14 overall on the season, and 12-12 in the GLIAC, as Northwood improves to 25-17 overall on the season, and 17-9 in the GLIAC. Saginaw Valley will be back in action on Sunday (May 2) as they take on Grand Valley State University. The double header is scheduled to start at noon.