KISSIMMEE, Fla. – The Saginaw Valley State University softball team defeated #10 Indiana (Pa.), 3-1 before falling to Adelphi University, 1-0 in a rain shortened game on the final day of the 2012 Rebel Spring Games. The Cardinals are now 7-7 overall on the season.
Game 1
The contest remained scoreless through the first four innings of play before #10 Indiana (Pa.) would take a 1-0 advantage in the top of the fifth inning. The run came across the plate when Marissa Leslie reached first on a throwing error that brought in the runner from first base.
Saginaw Valley answered back immediately in the bottom of the fifth inning when they put their first run on the scoreboard after capitalizing on a Crimson Hawk error. Junior Devon Eley (Centreville, Mich.) reached first on a fielder's choice allowing pinch runner Mackenzie Rousse (Bay City, Mich./Bay City Western HS) to score from third. The Cardinals tacked on their second run of the inning when senior Ashley Coffin (Sterling Heights, Mich./Stephenson HS) laced a double to left center allowing pinch runner Jordan Randall (Clinton Twp, Mich./Clinton HS) to score and give Saginaw Valley their first lead of the game.
The Cardinals added an insurance run in the bottom of the sixth inning on back-to-back hits. Kailah Happ (Waterford, Mich./Kettering HS) led off the inning with a double to left center and Kalie Burdick (Milford, Mich.) knocked a single to left field that allowed Happ to cross home, giving Saginaw Valley the 3-1 lead.
Junior Alexa Gehrls (Caledonia, Mich) started in the circle for Saginaw Valley picking up her sixth win of the week, making her 6-1 overall on the season. Gehrls ended the contest with 11 strikeouts and allowing only one hit through seven innings. Burdick and Coffin led the way for the Cardinals going two-for-three at the plate and each with an RBI.
Game 2
Adelphi wasted no time getting the early 1-0 lead over Saginaw Valley as they brought their first run across the plate on back-to-back singles by the first two batters in the Panther lineup.
Coffin picked up Saginaw Valley's only hit of the game when she lined a ball right over second base and would reach third on a Panther throwing error. SVSU would be unable to capitalize on the opportunity.
The remaining two innings of play would be cancelled due to inclement weather, giving Adelphi the 1-0 rain shortened victory.
Junior Jillian Williamson (Unionville/Sebewaing, Mich.) started in the circle for Saginaw Valley, recording six strikeouts and allowing six hits and an earned run.
The Cardinals will return to action on Friday (Mar. 23) when they travel to Lake Erie for their first Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference contest of the season. First pitch is scheduled for 3:30 PM.