UNIVERSITY CENTER, Mich. – The Saginaw Valley State University softball team split the GLIAC home doubleheader against Ferris State on Tuesday afternoon. The Cardinals (28-12, 17-3 GLIAC) took game one, 8-4, from the Bulldogs (24-17, 10-6 GLIAC) before FSU split the day with a 3-2 win in game two.
GAME 1: SVSU 8 – SVSU 4
FSU took an early 1-0 lead in the first inning after a two-out, RBI single up the middle scored a runner for the edge.
SVSU recorded three-straight singles to start the bottom half of the first and tie the game at one. Aalana Kimble (Kentwood, Mich. / East Kentwood HS) led things off with an infield single to get on base. Mya Purdy (Chelsea, Mich. / Chelsea HS) singled on a bunt to put Kimble in scoring position. Emma Helvie (Markle, Ind. / Huntington North HS) singled to right field to score Kimble and knotted up the score.
Olivia Elliott (Baroda, Mich. / Berrien Springs HS) then doubled to right to score Emily Schmeltz (Union, Ky. / Cooper HS) and Purdy to pull ahead 3-1. Emily Beckas (Troy, Mich. / Avondale HS) stole home to give the Cardinals a 4-1 lead after one inning of play.
Both teams scored on a groundout in the second inning to put the score at 5-2 through the first two frames.
A triple scored another run for the Bulldogs to close the gap to two runs with four innings left to play.
SVSU pulled away in the sixth with three runs on three hits in the home half of the inning. Ella Reifschneider (Hudsonville, Mich./ Hudsonville HS) doubled to lead off the sixth for the Cardinals. Lillia Sherman (Millington, Mich. / Millington HS) brought her home with a single through the right side. Kimble doubled on the next at-bat to score Natalie Savage (Howell, Mich. / Howell HS). Kimble would score two plays later on a passed ball to extend the lead to 8-3 going into the final inning of game one.
The Bulldogs put the final run on the board in the seventh inning with a single to right field, but Saginaw Valley State ended the contest with the final out on the next play to secure the win.
Kimble (W, 13-5) led offensively with three hits in her four at-bats. She scored twice and brought another home. She also earned the win in the circle after pitching 4.0 innings in relief. She allowed two hits, one run, and struck out two on her way to the win. Macy Irelan (Owosso, Mich. / Owosso HS) got the start and went 3.0 innings with three strikeouts.
GAME 2: Ferris State 3 – SVSU 2
Ferris State jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the first inning with an RBI double to right field and a single through the right side, scoring two.
The Cardinals threatened in the fourth inning with a runner in scoring position, but couldn't get on the board until the fifth. Lauren Evans (Schoolcraft, Mich. / Schoolcraft HS) singled to left field and moved Kate Pnacek (Coleman, Mich. / Coleman HS) to second base. Kimble scored Beckas, who pinch ran for Evans, and Pnacek with a double to right center and cut the lead to 3-2.
SVSU loaded the bases with one out in the bottom of the seventh for a chase to walk off a victory, but the Bulldogs forced a foul out and a groundout to secure the win and split the doubleheader.
Six Cardinals recorded a hit, with Kimble leading the way with two RBI. Pnacek and Beckas scored a run in the contest.
Kimble (L, 13-6) started game two and went 4.0 innings with six hits, three runs, and nine strikeouts. Irelan pitched the final three innings in relief. She allowed no hits and struck out two FSU batters in the losing effort.
UP NEXT: The Cardinals remain at home to host Grand Valley State on Saturday with the first game slated for 1:00 p.m.
