CLERMONT, Fla. - The SVSU softball team opened up its 2016 season Sunday (Mar. 6) with a pair of games against tough NCAA Division II pponents in no. 20 nationally ranked Winona State and Minnesota State-Mankato in non-conference action. In the end on the first day, the Cardinals would fall twice to their opponents, by a 5-0 score to Winona State before losing 7-2 against the Mavericks at the NTC Spring Games.

Saginaw Valley notched six hits in the opener, getting a pair from Meredith Rousse to lead the way, but were plagued by a four-run bottom of the second inning from the Trojans that went a long way in the deciding 5-0 score. Anna Conard, Lauren Bachert, Danielle Hamilton and Aubree Mouthaan had the other hits for SVSU in Sunday's first game.

The Cards got out front in the nightcap against the Mavericks, scoring a run in the bottom of the third inning when a Madison Burgess sacrifice bunt put some pressure on and resulted in a throwing error where Becky Corbett crossed the plate for the 1-0 lead. 

Mankato would continue on to add seven consecutive runs; one in the fourth and fifth, respectively, and a five-spot in the sixth inning for a 7-1 lead.

SVSU threatened in the seventh and added another run when Mouthaan scored on an error after belting a double off the center field wall earlier in the inning to make the score 7-2. That's where the final would stand. 

Burgess led the way for SV offensively in the second contest, notching a pair of hits while Corbett, Hamilton and Mouthaan accounted for the other three hits. 

On the Mound

- Sarah Appold (0-1) pitched the first 5.2 innings of the first game, allowing the five runs on just four hits, walking four and striking-out four as well. 
- Annie Hansen closed-out the game by getting a flyout from the game's final batter.
- Sarah Vrabel (0-1) started the second contest and gave up seven runs on eight hits, walking one batter and posting two strikeouts in her six innings of work.
- Samantha Willman tossed a scoreless seventh inning for SVSU, allowing a single hit, walking one and adding a strikeout. 

Up Next

Saginaw Valley returns to the diamond with another 1 & 3 pm doubleheader slate. The Cardinals square-off with Trevecca Nazarene in the 1:00 p.m. slot and will face Quincy at 3:00 p.m. at the Legends Way 5 ballpark. 

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