SPRINGFIELD, Ill. - Coming off a Friday doubleheader at the University of Illinois-Springfield, the Cardinal softball team was set for another pair of contests on Saturday (Mar. 4) against the Prairie Starts. SVSU used a gem in circle in the opener from Samantha Willman and a solo home run from Meredith Rousse for a 1-0 victory. The Cardinals then lost by a narrow 8-7 score in a nightcap that went 12 innings. 

Game One

The Cardinals got the only run of the game in the top of the 1st inning when Meredith Rousse knocked a solo home run to left field to give the visitors the 1-0 lead. 

That was all of the offense Willman would need, as she carried a perfect game through 6.1 innings of work before allowing a pair of hits in the bottom of the seventh. She would slam the door and help SV seal the 1-0 victory.

Inside the Boxscore

• Rousse's first inning blast was her fourth of the season and one of SVSU's four total hits in the opener.
• Courtney Reeves, Julia Miller and Lauren Bachert each added a hit as well in the contest.
• Aubree Mouthaan and Danielle Hamilton each drew a walk as well for the visitors.
• Willman (3-2) was stellar for the Cardinals, tossing the complete game two-hitter. She had no free passes while striking-out nine batters. 

Game Two

Saginaw Valley jumped out to a quick 3-0 lead in the top half of the 1st inning. Evy Lobdell had a 2-RBI double that plated Mouthaan and Rousse while Courtney Reeves added an RBI double that pushed Lobdell across.

The Prairie Stars had some offense in the home half of the 4th inning, using six hits to score six runs. SV had two errors, however, leading to five of those runs being unearned. That gave UIS a 6-3 lead in the game.

SV resopnded in a big way in the top of the 6th inning, scoring four runs to take a 7-6 lead. Rousse and Mouthaan had singles and Lobdell was hit by a pitch to load the bases. In stepped Reeves next, who greeted a new pitcher to the game with a grand slam that cleared the left field fence. 

UIS would use another Cardinal miscue in the bottom of the 7th, adding another unearned run to knot the score at 7-7 and send the game to extra-innings. 

The Cards couldn't get a run across despite having a bases-loaded opportunity in the 11th inning. The Prairie Stars would come through in the bottom of the 12th, using a double and single with one out, scoring the game-winning run with the score 8-7.

Inside the Boxscore

• Reeves was stellar in the game, going 4-for-4 with five RBI and a run scored for SVSU. She was walked twice in the contest as well. Her grand slam gives her four home runs on the season, tied for the team lead. She also is tied for a team-best 13 RBI. Reeves added a pair of doubles in the game as well. 
• Lobdell added a 3-for-5 peformance in the nightcap with two runs and a pair of RBI. She had two doubles in the game.
• Willman (3-3) took the loss pitching in relief. She worked the final 5.1 innings, allowing a single run on four hits. She had six strikeouts in the game and walked two. 
• Anna Conard got the start and allowed six runs on six hits. Only one of the runs was earned against her credit. 
• SVSU had 15 hits in the matchup but committed but tied a season-high with four errors defensively.

Up Next

Saginaw Valley has a travel day on Sunday before playing a doubleheader at Bellarmine on Monday afternoon. Game times are set for Noon and 2:00 p.m. on Monday (Mar. 6) afternoon.

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