NORTH CANTON, Ohio - The SVSU softball team played a doubleheader against Lake Erie College on Friday (Mar. 24) afternoon at Walsh University. The Cardinals came out with a sweep over the Storm to open GLIAC play for 2017, pounding 25 hits in the two games while posting victories of 4-0 and 8-3, respectively.

Game One

Saginaw Valley got on the board in the bottom of the 1st with a trio of runs, the first coming on a double steal where Meredith Rousse scored from third. Aubree Mouthaan followed next with a home run over the left field fence, scoring Courtney Reeves, who advanced to second on the double steal. That made the score 3-0 after one inning.

The Cardinals added another run in the home half of the 3rd inning, as Mouthaan had a sacrifice fly to right field that plated Evy Lobdell, who singled to lead-off the frame. That pushed the lead to 4-0.

The 4-0 scores is where the final remained, as the Cards got out of a slight jam in the 6th and closed-out for the win. 

Inside the Boxscore

• Rousse was 3-3 in the opener with a run scored and two stolen bases. 
• Mouthaan had the two-run shot, posting three RBI and a run scored.
• Lobdell went 2-3 with a run scored. 
• Julia Miller added a hit in the first game.

In the Circle

• Samantha Willman (5-3) worked the complete game while picking up the victory. She allowed just three hits and a pair of walks while striking-out six batters. 

Game Two

Serving as the visiting team for the nightcap, the Cards took a 1-0 edge in the top of the 2nd after Becky Corbett ripped an RBI single down the left field line to plate Mouthaan.

SVSU tacked-on three more in the top of the fourth to make the lead 4-0, using another Mouthaan blast to left. This one scored both Rousse and Reeves. 

Lake Erie responded with a pair of runs in the bottom of the 3rd, cutting the deficit to 4-2.

Anna Conard put another run on the board for SV in the top of the 5th, scoring Mouthaan with a double to make it 5-2. Then, with the bases-loaded and two outs, Lobdell stepped up to the plate. She ripped a line-drive double over the center fielder's head, clearing the bases and scoring Miller, Corbett and Danielle Hamilton in the process. That big blow pushed the lead out to 8-2.

Lake Erie scored a single run in the bottom of the 7th, but SVSU claimed the 8-3 victory in game two and the sweep.

Inside the Boxscore

• Mouthaan had another big game at the plate, going 4-5 with three more RBI and three runs scored. The four hits mark a career-best.
• Lobdell went 3-5 in game two with a trio of RBI as well with two doubles.
• Miller had her first career three hit game, going 3-3 with a run and a walk.
• Rousse added two hits with a walk and run scored. She stole two more bases in the second contest.
• Conard had two hits with a double and RBI for SV.
• Corbett had an RBI single, run scored and a walk.

In the Circle

• Annie Hansen (5-1) got the start and victory, tossing 4.0 innings. She allowed five hits, two runs (1 earned) while walking two and notching a strikeout.
• Conard pitched well in relief for SVSU, going 2.2 innings, allowing a single hit and posting a strikeout. 
• Elayne Young also worked relief in the circle for the Cardinals. 

Up Next...

The Cardinals will square-off against Walsh on Saturday (Mar. 25) in another league twinbill. First pitch is set for 3:00 p.m. at the WU Softball Complex. Follow along via the SVSU softball schedule for live stats.

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