NORTH CANTON, Ohio - The SVSU softball team pushed its overall record to 15-6 and remained unbeaten in GLIAC play at 4-0 after registering a Saturday sweep over Walsh University. The Cardinals exploded offensively for a 19-0 five-inning victory in the opener and scored a seven-inning run in the nightcap to hold on for a 1-0 win.

Game One

Playing as the home team in the opener, Saginaw Valley used 10 hits and a pair of Cavalier errors to score 12 runs in the bottom of the 1st to take the 12-0 edge. Danielle Hamilton had a two-RBI to score Kennedi Thomas and Julia Miller in the frame. Another big blow came off the bat of Courtney Reeves, who connected on a line-drive three-run home run over the center field fence that plated Meredith Rousse and Evy Lobdell.

Three more Cardinal runs came in the bottom of the 2nd, as the team got an RBI double from Lobdell to score Hamilton for the first run. Miller and Becky Corbett then would wlak with the bases loaded, allowing Lobdell and Rousse to score for the 15-0 lead.

SVSU added a four spot in the 3rd, as Aubree Mouthaan and Miller walked to score runs by Lauren Bachert and Rousse. Corbett then ripped a two-RBI single that plated Mouthaan and Reeves for the 19-0 lead. That would prove to be the final, as the game was called after the top of the 5th due to the mercy rule.

Inside the Boxscore

• Lobdell went 3-5 with two doubles, three RBI and a trio of runs scored. 
• Hamilton was 2-3 with two RBI, three runs, a double and a walk.
• Rousse added two hits, scoring four times and walking once.
• Reeves had the three-run long ball and scored three runs.
• Corbett was 1-2 with three RBI.
• Mouthaan had a hit, two RBI and two runs.
• Miller added a hit, two RBI and scored once.

In the Circle

• The pitching staff carried a perfect game through 4.2 innings before Walsh got its only hit of the first game.
• Samantha Willman got the start, working the first 2.0 innings. She struck-out one batter.
• Anna Conard (4-1) picked up the win in relief, working 3.0 innings for the Cardinals. She struck-out a pair of batters and allowed a single hit.

Game Two

The seond game featured a pitcher's duel, as Willman squared-off with Walsh's Olivia Pifer. The two worked shutout ball through six full innings of play in the nightcap. 

Saginaw Valley cashed-in on an opportunity with two outs in the top of the 7th, however, as Bachert reached on an error by the Walsh second baseman. She moved up to second on a wild pitch and Hamilton walked to put runners at first and second. Lobdell stepped in next and ripped an RBI single to center field for the 1-0 lead.

Willman carried a no-hitter into the bottom of the 7th, but that was broken-up by the first batter. She would continue on to hold the Cavaliers scoreless, sealing the 1-0 victory for SV.

Inside the Boxscore

• SVSU had four hits in the second game, with Lobdell recording two of them with the game-winning RBI.
• Mouthaan had a double as well while Hamilton added a lead-off single and a walk.
• Corbett had two walks and Kennedi Thomas added one.
• Hamilton and Corbett each had a stolen base in the nightcap.

In the Circle

• Willman (6-3) worked the complete game, firing a two-hitter. She allowed just two hits with a pair of walks, notching seven strikeouts. 

Up Next...

Saginaw Valley is set for a four-game weekend in Ohio, beginning Friday (Mar. 31) at Urbana in a non-conference doubleheader. The team will then play at Ohio Dominican, Ashland and Malone to round-out weekend play.

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