UNIVERSITY CENTER, Mich. – The Saginaw Valley State University softball team opens the 2021 season with five games this weekend indoors at the Dome in Rosemont, Ill.
First-year Head Coach Christie Ambrosi leads a talent group of Cardinals that figures to compete at the top of the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference this season.
"My overall expectations for the season are that we come out and compete every single inning of every single game," Ambrosi said. "This group is so talented, and I know if they can stay in their circle of focus for seven innings, they can do some incredible things."
The Cardinals return several key contributors to the field in 2021 after last year was cut off at 18 games due to the cancellation of the season.
Emily Depew and Julia Mundy return to lead the Cardinals in the pitching circle. In eight appearances in 2020, Depew was 7-0 with a 1.47 ERA and a team-high 34 strikeouts in 33.1 innings of work. Mundy was 4-2 with a 2.08 ERA and 25 strikeouts in 43.2 innings.
The SVSU lineup returns several key contributors in 2021. Junior Blasia Moyler hit .340 in 47 plate appearances in 2020, driving in eight runs. Junior Julia Salisbury batted .370 with 11 RBIs, while junior Shelby Misiak hit .351 with nine doubles and 17 RBIs.
Sophomore Jackie Popko returns after slugging a team-high seven home runs and driving in 21 runs last season, while 2020 SVSU batting leader Sarah Gersch, a sophomore, is coming off an 18-game season where she hit a team-high .441 with 26 total hits and 22 runs scored.
Freshman transfer Leah Denome figures to make an immediate impact for SVSU in the outfield, as Ambrosi is excited about the pop she will bring to the team's lineup this season.
"This team has so much depth both offensively and defensively," Ambrosi said. "I have high hopes for how far this team can go post-season."
The Cardinals play five games this weekend, starting against Quincey University at 10 am CST on Friday. SVSU plays two Friday and another two on Saturday before closing play in Rosemont against Hillsdale College at 3 PM on Sunday.
The GLIAC season opens at home for SVSU with a doubleheader against Davenport University on March 24, followed by a pair of league series on March 27 and 28. The Cardinals host three doubleheaders from April 21-25 concluding with the regular-season home finale against Ferris State University. The final regular-season series will be at Wayne State University on May 1 followed by the GLIAC Tournament May 5-8.
The NCAA Regionals open on May 13, while the Division II College Softball World Series is slated for May 27-31.