MIDLAND, Mich. - The Saginaw Valley State University softball team earned an important split with Northwood University today (Apr. 27) in Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference play.  The Cardinals claimed a comeback win in game one by a score of 6-5, before falling in game two by a score of 11-1.

Game One vs Northwood - Box Score
Senior Samantha Sutton (Armada, Mich.) got the Cardinal offense started in the top of the first inning with a single through the right side.  A single by Lindsay Hayward (Ancaster, Ont.) to deep center field brought Sutton around to score and give SVSU an early 1-0 advantage.

The Timberwolves responded with three runs on three hits to take a 3-1 lead after the first inning.

Sutton once again jump started the Saginaw Valley offense with a single in the top of the third inning.  She scored later in the inning after Hayward singled down the left field line.  Catcher Kari Knight (Walled Lake, Mich./Centeral HS) followed with a single to left field that allowed Jordan Randall (Clinton Twp., Mich.) to score from second base.  Kailah Happ (Waterford, Mich./Kettering HS) laced a single down the right field line to plate Hayward and end the SVSU scoring in the third inning with the Cardinals up 4-3.

Northwood evened the score at 4-4 in the bottom of the fourth inning, scoring a run on two hits.

SVSU reclaimed the one run advantage in the top of the fifth inning when Knight ripped a single to center field to drive in Randall from second base.

The Timberwolves once again tied the game up in the bottom of the fifth with a run on two hits.

A pinch hit double down the right field line by freshman Chelsea Adcock (Pinconning, Mich.) to lead off the top of the sixth inning gave the Cardinals a runner in scoring position with no outs.  Mackenzie Rousse (Bay City, Mich./Western HS) followed with a double to right center to drive in Adcock and give Saginaw Valley a 6-5 advantage.

Jillian Williamson (Sebewaing, Mich.) and the Cardinal defense held the Timberwolves in check the rest of the way as they went on to the 6-5 victory.  Williamson picked up her sixth win of the season in the complete game effort for SVSU.

Game Two vs Northwood - Box Score
Northwood put four runs on the scoreboard in the top of the first inning to jump out to the early 4-0 lead.

The Cardinals responded in the bottom of the second inning when Sarah Vrabel (Canfield, Ohio) earned a bases loaded walk to force senior Ashley Beal across the plate.

Northwood would add four runs in the top of the fourth inning, before adding another three runs in the top of the sixth inning as they went on to the 11-1 victory

Williamson took the loss for the Cardinals in the circle, throwing the first four innings before being replaced by freshman Chelsea Davis (Mt. Pleasant, Mich.) for the final two innings of play.

With the split, the Cardinals are now 15-21 overall on the season and 11-11 in the GLIAC, while Northwood is now 28-15 overall on the season and 18-6 in the conference.  Saginaw Valley will close out conference play on Sunday (Apr. 28) when they travel to Hillsdale College for a doubleheader.  Game one is scheduled to start at noon.