LAKELAND, Fla. – Despite the score, the Saginaw Valley State baseball team played a tight game today against No. 6-ranked Florida Southern, and remain winless in four outings at the Russ Matt Tournament.

SVSU fell 18-8, as the Moccasins hit a couple key home runs with runners on to push the game out of reach in the fifth and seventh innings, but prior to the home runs, the Cardinals were in the game, only behind by a couple of runs as the offense kept them in the game as SVSU belted 13 hits on the afternoon. Right fielder Charlie Thomas (Northville, Mich.) went 3-for-5 with one RBI and a run scored. Senior Kevin Schwedler (Midland, Mich.) hit 2-for-4, batted one in and scored a run.

The Cardinals fell behind early in the contest 10-3, but a five-run fifth brought them within striking distance as Thomas got the Cardinal bats going with a double to left field, followed by a walk to freshman Mike VanAlst (Clio, Mich.). With tow outs, senior Andy Plouff (Gladstone, Mich.) drew a walk to put two on for Schwedler who singled through the left side driving in Thomas and moving Plouff to third base. Junior Josh Kozuch (Bay City, Mich.) drew a walk loading the bases for junior Andy Ferraiuolo (Perry, Mich.). After a pitching change, Ferraiuolo drew another walk forcing Plouff in giving the Cardinals their third run of the inning. Junior Chase Coulter (Flint, Mich.) belted a double down the left field line clearing the bases to bring SVSU within two.

But from there out, it was all Florida Southern, as the Cardinals couldn’t put another point on the scoreboard in the last 3-1/2 innings.

The loss knocks SVSU’s record to 0-4 on the season, while Florida Southern improves to 17-4 overall. The Cardinals will return to action at 3 p.m. tomorrow to battle Seton Hill in Winter Haven, Fla.