ALLENDALE, Mich. – The Saginaw Valley State University softball team split with Grand Valley, defeating the Lakers 5-3 in game one, before falling 5-0 in game two. With the split the Cardinals move to 15-15 overall on the season and 8-8 in the GLIAC, while the Lakers move to 30-8 overall on the season and 13-5 in the GLIAC.
Game 1
Saginaw Valley came out strong against Grand Valley in game one as they scored the only five runs they would need to secure the win in the top of the third inning. The first run of the inning came across the plate when senior Natalie Wellman (Fairhaven, Mich./Anchor Bay HS) singled to center field, scoring Mackenzie Rousse (Bay City, Mich./Western HS).
The Cardinals took the 3-0 lead over the Lakers when Lindsay Hayward (Ancaster, Ont.) reached first on a fielding error that would allow both Jordan Randall (Clinton Twp., Mich.) and Wellman to score. Saginaw Valley tacked on the final two runs they would need on back-to-back singles from juniors Jenna Holmes (Jenison, Mich.) and Devon Eley (Centreville, Mich.).
The Lakers battled back scoring two runs on a Brianna Taylor homerun in the bottom of the third inning and a Taylor single up the middle in the bottom of the fourth inning, but would be unable to put anything else together offensively.
Junior pitcher Alexa Gehrls (Caledonia, Mich.) pitched herself to her 10th win of the season, pitching a complete game with eight strikeouts, while Wellman led the way at the plate going two-for-four with one run batted in.
Game 2
Grand Valley wasted no time taking the early lead over the Cardinals in game two when they scored two unearned runs in the top of the third inning.
The Lakers added their last three runs of the contest when Taylor hit her second homerun of the day over the left field fence in the bottom of the fifth and Katie Martin hit a two run homerun in the top of the seventh inning.
Saginaw Valley looked to start something in the bottom of the fourth inning when senior Ashley Coffin (Sterling Heights, Mich./Stephenson HS) and junior Kailah Happ (Waterford, Mich./Kettering HS) each singled, but would be unable to come around and score.
Jillian Williamson (Unionville, Mich./USA HS) suffered the loss in the circle pitching all seven innings with four strikeouts, while Coffin led the way going two-for-three at the plate.
The Cardinals will be back in action on Tuesday (Apr. 10) when they return home to face off against Hillsdale. First pitch is scheduled for 3:00 PM.