WINTER HAVEN, Fla. – The Saginaw Valley State baseball team suffered from inexperience today (March 8) as the Cardinals lost their third straight game to the University of Missouri St. Louis, 12-6.

SVSU had a two-run lead going into the ninth, but a late-game rally by the Tritons, and some defensive miscues, in the top of the ninth led to a nine-run inning for Missouri St. Louis, putting the Cardinals down 12-5.

Before that, Saginaw Valley played solid baseball behind the stellar 2009 inaugural outing of junior ace Kevin Kerner (Richmond, Mich.) who threw six innings, faced 27 batters, allowed only three hits, one earned run and struck out four. True freshman Mike VanAlst (Clio, Mich.) went 2-for-3 with an RBI double and a single, and made a couple great grabs at first base. Junior Andy Ferraiulo (Perry, Mich.) went 3-for-5, including hammering a triple to center field and scored twice. Junior Ryan Webber (Clio, Mich.) went 2-for-5, including a double, and stolen base, and junior Josh Peterson (Midland, Mich.) had two stolen bases to accompany two hits.

The loss drops the Cardinals’ record to 0-3 overall, while Missouri St. Louis improves to 5-6. SVSU will return to action at 3 p.m. March 9 to take on #4-ranked Florida Southern.