ASHLAND, Ohio – The SVSU softball team traveled to face #24 Ashland University on Monday (Mar. 30) in the team's first league doubleheader of the 2015 season. In what was an exciting start to the GLIAC season for SVSU, the Cardinals dropped a close 3-2 eight-inning decision in the opener before notching a season-high 15 hits in a 16-9 victory in the nightcap.
Game One
The Eagles grabbed an early 2-0 lead in the first game, using a home run to take the advantage in the bottom of the first inning.
SVSU knotted the score in the top half of the fifth, finally pushing two runs across after having numerous runners in scoring position in the innings leading up to the frame. Nicole Romain had a two-RBI double to score Marcy Medina and Amanda Best to make the score 2-2.
The game would remain tied through seven innings, and the teams would head into extra innings. In the top of the eighth, SV had a runner on third with two outs but could not capitalize.
Ashland got a single to lead-off the inning and later took advantage of a Cardinal error to set up runners at second and third with one out. The next batter was intentionally walked to set up a force play at the plate. The next batter got the game-winning RBI, pushing a run across the plate via a fielder's choice to finish the game with the score 3-2.
Each team posted eight hits in the game, with SV having three players with two. Romain had two RBIs to go along with her two hits while DeAnna Stickler-Gatson and Evy Lobdell each added a pair of base knocks as well.
Sarah Appold took the loss in the circle. She fell to 3-4 on the season after working 7.1 innings, scattering eight hits and striking out seven batters. She walked seven batters as well.
Game Two
SVSU fell behind early in the second game of the day, as the Eagles scored four runs in the top of the first to grab the 4-0 advantage.
The Cardinals answered back in a big way, however, plating nine runs in the bottom of the first to make the score 9-4. SV took advantage of five Ashland errors, but added two big blows with home runs from Marcy Medina and Mackenzie Rousse. Lobdell and Chelsea Adcock added an RBI as well while Stickler-Gatson had a two-RBI triple.
After Ashland scored a single run in the top of the 2nd, SV added two more to make the score 11-5. Romain and Adcock had RBIs on the pair of scores.
The teams each scored a single run in the third, the Cardinals' coming after Amanda Best had a triple to score Lobdell and make the score 12-6.
Saginaw Valley scored four runs in the bottom of the fourth in-between three Eagle runs. The Cardinals finished-off the game for the victory, 16-9.
The season-high 15 hits for the Cardinals were spread out, with six different players notching two hits. Stickler-Gatson had four RBIs (2 triples) with two runs scored and Adcock added three RBIs and two runs as well. Seven different SVSU players scored multiple runs. Rousse and Medina had the home runs, two of the six extra-base hits.
Annie Hansen (2-2) claimed the victory on the mound, allowing two runs in 2.0 innings of relief.
The Cardinals sit at 11-12 overall and 1-1 in the GLIAC for the season. Ashland is now 18-4 overall and 3-3 in league play.
Saginaw Valley plays Tuesday (Mar. 31) at Ferris State University in another GLIAC doubleheader. First pitch is set for 3:00 pm in Big Rapids, Michigan.