WINTER HAVEN, Fla. - In the first day of action at the Russ Matt Tournament, the Saginaw Valley State baseball team was shut out of the win column after two games against Rockhurst University, today (March 7).

In the opening game, the Cardinals lost 9-8 in a close match, that saw Rockhurst score five runs in the 4th inning and four more in the 5th, putting SVSU behind by five runs through five innings.

But in the bottom of the 6th, the Cardinals came out swinging as senior Kevin Schwedler (Midland, Mich.) led off the inning with a walk before Junior Ryan Webber (Clio, Mich) singled to left field, junior Andy Ferraiuolo (Perry, Mich.) knocked one to left field driving in Schwedler. Junior Chase Coulter hit a sacrifice fly to center field to advance the runners before a wild pitch brought Webber home. Junior Josh Peterson (Midland, Mich.) drew a walk before a wild pitch advanced the runner. Junior Charlie Thomas belted one to right field bringing Peterson and Ferraiuolo around to score the final runs of the inning. Going into the 7th inning, the Cardinals down one run, the defense got it down putting Rockhurst down in order, but SVSU couldn’t get it done in the last half inning.

On the mound in the opener, junior Andrew Doyle went three innings allowing five hits, three runs and fanning four, junior Scott Haase (0-1) allowed six runs, five hits and striking out three, and redshirt freshmen Steve Janes (Chesterton, Ind.) came in to finish the game going 2-2/3 innings allowing two hits and striking out three.

In the second game, mental mistakes plagued the Cardinals, as Rockhurst went on to win 8-1, as SVSU struggled to find their swings on offense. Ryan Longstreth (Beaverton, Mich.) took the loss.

After Day 1 at the Russ Matt Tournament, the Cardinals are 0-2 and will return to action at 1 p.m. March 8 to face off against Missouri St. Louis.