CLERMONT, Fla. - The Saginaw Valley State University softball team split its opening day of contests at the NTC Games in Clermont, Florida. After plenty of travel time and schedule changes the Cardinals were able to play in the warm weather. 

SVSU began the day with an 8-7 victory against Quincy in the morning game before giving up a four run inning to Cedarville which led to a 5-2 defeat. The Cardinals improve their record to 3-2 on the season.

Game One - Quincy

Quincy came out swinging in the first inning, scoring four runs on three singles and a home run. Jordan Randall led the comeback with a home run to put Saginaw Valley on the board. After an Abby Stoner single and a Lindsay Hayward walk, Amanda Best singled down the left field line to drive both baserunners in. The score after the first inning was 4-3 in Quincy's favor.

In the top of the third the Hawks had a run walked in giving them a two run lead. The Cardinals would follow the Quincy run by scoring threee runs of their own off of Randall, Stoner, Hayward, Kari Knight and Mackenzie Rousse singles to take a 6-5 lead.

SVSU scored a run in both the fourth and fifth innings to give them a 8-5 lead. QU made a late run in the top of the seventh, but its two runs weren't enough to force the Cardinals to hit in the seventh. The Cardinals earned the 8-7 win in large part to a great pitching performance by sophomore pitcher Sarah Appold.

Randall led the team with three hits and two RBIs while Best added two hits and drove in three runs.

Game Two - Cedarville

After a scoreless first inning, Knight started the inning off with a single to center field before Mackenzie Rousse earned a walk to bring Deanna Stickler-Gatson to the plate. The junior outfielder singled to left field, driving in both baserunners. The Cardinals took a 2-0 lead.

Cedarville scored a run in the bottom of the third, putting them behind by a single run until the following inning. The yellow jackets exploded offensively knocking in four runs off of four hits.

SVSU threatened in the remainder of its at bats, but failed to plate another run. Cedarville would win the game 5-2

The Cardinals are back in action Wednesday (March 5) as they take on West Virginia Wesleyan at 1:00 pm followed by St. Anselm at 3:00 pm.