Auburndale, Fla. – Saginaw Valley State University over came some adversity late in Friday's game against the University of Minnesota Duluth and got the 7-5 victory.
SVSU (6-8) had a lead against the Bulldogs (6-5) before Duluth put up four runs in the bottom of the sixth. However, the Cardinals put up four of their own in the next half inning and never looked back.
4 1/2 scoreless innings to begin the ball game as SVSU's starter Tyler McLaren (3-0) and UMD's starter Ben Reilley (2-1) were dealing. McLaren struck out eight through 5 1/3 innings and gave up five runs, but only two of them earned. Reilley had five punch outs through 5 1/3 innings and had one run against.
The Bulldogs scored first in the bottom of the fifth with an error allowing the first runner to touch home plate. SVSU had the quick response as they got to the UMD bullpen in the sixth. Jaccar Watkins led off with a double, Colin Cornwell walked, and Martin Money walked to load the bases. Austin Schweiger gave SVSU the lead with a two-RBI single making it 2-1. After the bases were reloaded, Brandon Scheurer walked to score Money.
In the bottom the sixth, UMD got the bats going with a solo home run and then a run scoring error to tie it 3-3. A few batters later, a two-RBI single gave the Bulldogs a 5-3 lead.
That's when SVSU flipped the script. Two singles and a walk loaded up the bases and with two outs, Ethan Dufresne tripled into the right-center gap and cleared the bases. One of the biggest hits of the spring break trip gave the Cardinals a 6-5 lead. The very next pitch, Jeffrey Reseigh singled to score Dufresne and double the lead. Three of the four runs went against Blake Eiden (L, 0-1) who loaded the bases before being pulled.
SVSU Head Coach Adam Piotrowicz had this to say about the game.
"I'm really proud of the way this team battled back and handled adversity. They've been in every game and have played some really good teams. For them to answer back and for Ethan Dufresne to come up with the big hit was huge for our team. It shows the toughness and character we have in our locker room."
To show more character, brothers Nolan Raymond (W, 1-0) and Reed Raymond (Sv, 1) closed the final three innings without allowing a base runner.
Nolan Raymond pitched two innings striking out three batters before Reed Raymond struck out one in the final inning.
UP NEXT
The Cardinals have one game remaining in Florida before heading home. They'll play Winona State University at 9:45 a.m. on Saturday.
