ROSEMONT, ILL. – The Saginaw Valley State University softball team scored three runs in the bottom of the third inning which proved to be the difference in a 4-1 win over Purdue Northwest on day two of the GLIAC tournament.
Emily Depew (W, 19-6) finished her 18th complete game as she tallied a closing stat line of 7.0 innings pitched with three hits, one run, one walk, and 10 strikeouts. It is the fourth double-digit strikeout game for the senior this season.
The Pride broke the two-inning deadlock with a double to left field that brought a runner home for the 1-0 edge.
A throwing error and two walks loaded the bases in the bottom of the third. Aalana Kimble brought Paige Thomson home on a sacrifice fly to left field and the Cardinals (31-19) tied things up. Olivia Sabin singled to right center to score Sydney Herioux for the first SVSU lead of the game. Maddie Campagna hit an infield single to score Ella Reifschneider for the 3-1 advantage after the first three frames.
The final run of the game came in the sixth inning when Mya Purdy singled and brought Marissa Beck home for what would be the 4-1 final score.
PNW threatened in the top of the seventh as two singles put runners on base with just one out. Depew capped the victory with two punchouts to ensure Saginaw Valley would move on to day three of the tournament.
Sabin led the way offensive with two hits in her three at-bats. She recorded one of the three RBI for SVSU. Sara Moos, Kimble, Campagna, and Purdy all registered hits for the Cardinals.
UP NEXT
With the win, the Cardinals will now play top-seeded Grand Valley State in the first game tomorrow at 11 AM CT. The game between the Cardinals and the Lakers will grant the winner a spot in the championship round on Sunday. The losing team will have to face the winner of Purdue Northwest and Parkside in an elimination game at 4:00 PM CT tomorrow.