FINDLAY, Ohio - The Saginaw Valley state University softball team posted a 4-0 shutout victory over the University of Findlay Oilers in the second game of the day to keep its 2015 GLIAC Softball Tournament hopes alive. The victory gave the Cardinals a split on the opening day of the tournament, as SV fell by the same 4-0 count to Hillsdale College in the first game.
The win over Findlay also gave the program its first victory in the GLIAC Tournament since 2009, when the Cardinals claimed the championship.
Game One
The Chargers got on the board with a pair of runs in the top of the second inning, grabbing the 2-0 lead. Hillsdale would add single runs in the top of the sixth and seventh innings, respectively, to extend the lead to 4-0 heading into the bottom of the seventh frame.
SVSU got a pinch-hit single in the bottom of the seventh from Madison Burgess, but just one of its three total hits wasn't enough and the Chargers prevailed by the 4-0 final.
Mackenzie Rousse and Evy Lobdell had the other hits for Saginaw Valley, with Rousse adding a walk as well.
Sarah Appold (11-8) took the loss in the circle, as she allowed four runs on seven hits, posting five strikeouts and walking seven batters.
Game Two
The nightcap started much like the first, as neither team would push a run across the plate through four complete innings.
The Cardinals put up a crooked number for the first time of the day in the bottom of the fifth inning, scoring three runs for a 3-0 lead. Meredith Rousse started the inning with a double off the base of the center field wall. She would be brought home by an Amanda Kimes RBI single to right field for the first run. Kimes would move up to second base on a passed ball and to third on a fly ball. Shelby Weeks would dig-in next and she ripped an RBI triple down the right field line with two outs. As Weeks reached third, the second baseman for Findlay sailed a throw to the fence, allowing her to score for the third run and the 3-0 lead.
The bottom of the sixth inning would feature another run for the Cards and extend their lead out to 4-0. Marcy Medina led-off with a double to center field and was lifted for pinch-runner Danielle Hamilton. After Hamilton stole third, she would score on an Anna Conard single that hit off the Oiler pitcher that ended up trickling through the left side of the infield.
SVSU starter Sarah Vrabel would shut down the Oilers in the top of the seventh, preserving the 4-0 victory and keeping the Cards alive in the tournament. Vrable improved to 11-7 on the season after the shutout, scattering just five hits.
The Cardinals had six hits in the second game, with Medina leading the way with a 2-for-3 effort. Weeks was 1-for-2 with a walk, RBI and run scored while Conard and Kimes each added RBI singles. Kimes' RBI proved to be the game-winner. Meredith Rousse had the other hit for SVSU.
Saginaw Valley is now 29-18 overall on the season and will play Saturday (May 2) at 10:00 a.m. against the loser of the Wayne State and Walsh game, which is a winner's bracket contest.