UNIVERSITY CENTER – The SVSU softball team ran its winning streak to seven games after posting a home sweep over the Northwood University Timberwolves in a GLIAC doubleheader at the SVSU Softball Complex. The Cardinals posted a 4-2 win in the opening game before claiming a 9-1 victory in the nightcap, closing-out the contest in five innings.
With the victories, SVSU runs its record to 22-15 overall and 12-4 in the GLIAC. The Timberwolves fall to 13-20 and 10-8 in league play. The victories make it seven straight for the Cardinals.
Game One
Saginaw Valley was the first to put up a crooked number in the first game, as the home team plated a pair of runs in the bottom of the third inning to take the 2-0 lead. Shelby Weeks hit an RBI double down the left field line to score DeAnna Stickler-Gatson from first base for the first run. After Weeks moved up to third on a throw to the plate, Mackenzie Rousse followed next with an RBI single that pushed Weeks across the plate for the second run.
The top of the fourth saw the Timberwolves answer with a single run to cut the Cardinal lead in half with the score 2-1.
The Cardinals added another pair of runs in the bottom half of the fourth, extending the lead out to 4-1. Stickler-Gatson walked with two outs, bringing Weeks to the plate. She got into one, knocking a deep home run well over the left-center field fence for the two runs. The blast was her third hit of the game.
Northwood added another run in the top of the sixth inning, making the score 4-2.
That's all starting pitcher Sarah Appold (7-7) would need, as the junior worked all seven innings for the victory. She allowed just four hits, one earned run and struck-out seven batters.
Weeks had a huge game at the plate, going 3-for-4 with a home run, three RBIs and two runs scored. She fell just a triple shy of the cycle.
Meredith Rousse was 2-for-3 in the game while Mackenzie Rousse was 1-for-3 with the other RBI for the Cardinals.
Game Two
The Cardinals wasted no time getting out front in the second game, opening three runs in the top of the first inning for the 3-0 advantage. Weeks started the game with a bloop infield single that got away from the outstretched catcher's glove. She moved up to second on a dropped third strike and was brought home by an Evy Lobdell double. An Amanda Best RBI single scored Lobdell and a Nicole Romain RBI single pushed Best across for the third run.
The top of the second brought two more runs for the Cardinals, as Weeks had another home run, as she had a two-run shot that scored Amanda Kimes, who walked. That made the score 5-0 in SVSU's favor.
Saginaw Valley added four runs in the top of the fourth inning, extending the lead out to 9-0. The damage was done by Marcy Medina, who wrapped a home run inside of the left foul pole for a grand slam. She scored Kimes (double), Mackenzie Rousse (walk) and Weeks (walk) with the long ball.
The Timberwolves scored a single unearned run in the bottom of the fifth inning but Sarah Vrabel was too tough for the visitors in the complete game win. Vrabel improved to 8-5 on the year after working all 5.0 innings, surrendering just three hits and striking-out three.
Weeks was 2-for-2 with a home run, a pair of RBIs and three runs and Medina had the big blast with the grand slam. Best and Romain each had a hit and RBI as well for the Cards.
Saginaw Valley returns to the field at 11:00 a.m. on Sunday (Apr. 19), as the Cardinals host the Lake Superior State University Lakers. The Cardinals' nine seniors will be honored prior to play at 10:40 a.m.