SANDUSKY. Ohio – The Saginaw Valley State University softball team opened play at the 2021 Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Tournament Tuesday at Sports Force Parks in Sandusky, Ohio.
After the No. 4 seed Cardinals fell to No. 5 seed Wayne State University 7-1 in the opener, SVSU stayed alive with a 10-1 win in five innings in the second game of the day, eliminating No. 8 seed Ashland University and advancing to day two.
In game one, Wayne State jumped out to a 3-0 lead after the top of the third. The Cardinals picked up their lone run of the game on an RBI single from Meagan VerVaecke. SVSU was held off the board the rest of the way as the Warriors built a larger advantage.
Emily Depew was charged with the loss, allowing three runs on four hits, with one strikeout in 2.1 innings of work.
The Cardinals (29-16) got the offense going in game two, scoring four times in the third and five in the fifth. After Sara Moos picked up an RBI sacrifice fly in the first, VerVaecke got the third inning started with an RBI single. Kael Prickett came through with the big hit of the inning, clearing the bases with a three-run triple.
SVSU closed out the win in the fifth, including a three-run home run from Blasia Moyler, her team-leading 12th of the season. Jackie Popko hit her fourth home run of the year, scoring two runs, and walking off for the win.
Depew earned her 10th win of the season, tossing all five innings. She allowed one run on three hits, no walks, and struck out 10 batters.
The Cardinals advance in the loser's bracket on day two. SVSU will play an elimination game against No. 6 Purdue University Northwest at 10 am Wednesday in Sandusky.
NOTE: The GLIAC announced its postseason awards with six Cardinals being honored. Jackie Popko and Emily Depew were named to the All-GLIAC First Team, Sara Moos and Blasia Moyler to the Second Team, while All-GLIAC Honorable Mentions went to Meagan VerVaecke and Sarah Gersch.