UNIVERSITY CENTER – The Saginaw Valley State University softball team hosted the University of Findlay Oilers on Saturday (Apr. 4) in a Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) doubleheader. After falling in the first game by a 3-0 score, the Cardinals responded in a huge way, using a 10-hit effort in the second contest to notch a split with the visitors.
Game One
The Cardinals fell behind in the top of the second inning when the Oilers got a leadoff solo home run to take a 1-0 lead in the contest.
Findlay took advantage of three SVSU errors in the top of the sixth inning, scoring two unearned runs to extend the lead out to 3-0.
That's where the score would stand, as Saginaw Valley was held to just two hits in the contest and ended up falling by that same 3-0 score.
The two SVSU hits were from Amanda Best and Madison Burgess, who had a pinch hit single.
Sarah Appold (3-6) took the loss in the circle, as she allowed three runs (1 earned), scattering seven hits and striking-out six.
Game Two
SVSU grabbed the lead in the second contest, using an Amanda Best three-run home run in the top of the third to take the 3-0 advantage. The blast scored Evy Lobdell and Madison Burgess, who each singled before Best stepped into the box.
The Cards added another run in the top of the fifth to extend the lead to 4-0 after Marcy Medina had an RBI single to score Burgess, who reached via an infield single.
The Oilers scored once in the bottom of the fifth to make the score 4-1.
That's where Findlay's scoring would be halted, however, as SVSU starter Sarah Vrabel (4-5) shut the door for the victory. Vrabel worked all seven innings, posting eight strikeouts while allowing just a single run on six hits.
Saginaw had 10 hits in the nightcap, with Best leading the way by going 2-for-4 with three RBIs and a run scored. Burgess was 2-for-3 with two runs while Lobdell went 2-for-4 with a run as well.
SVSU's record now stands at 13-14 overall with a 3-3 mark in the GLIAC. The Oilers are 13-11-1 and 3-2-1 in league play.
The Cardinals are back in action on Wednesday (Apr. 8) as they take on the Wayne State Warriors in a doubleheader at the SVSU Softball Complex. First pitch is set for 3:00 pm for the GLIAC matchups.