ERIE, PA — Saginaw Valley State University learned how difficult coming through the loser's bracket can be, bowing out of the NCAA Division II North Central Regional Tournament with a 6-1 loss to the University of Indianapolis Sunday.
     The Cardinals took a 1-0 lead in the top of the second on consecutive two-out singles by sophomores Justin Garcia (Bay City/Western) and sophomore Adam Ruffner (Gibraltar/Carlson), and freshman T.J. Lehnertz (Grand Rapids/Catholic Central).
     Freshman right-hander Justin Young (Flint/Kearsley) struggled with his control while blanking the Greyhounds in the first two innings, then gave up a long three-run homer to Al Ready in the third inning.
     In the fourth, Indy second baseman Nick Nell tacked on a two-run homer. A throwing error led to an unearned run in the inning and neither team scored the rest of the way.
     Young dropped to 4-4 with three and two-thirds innings, allowing all six runs on six hits and four walks, while striking out one. Freshman Mike McGinnis (Monroe) tossed two and one-third scoreless innings, giving up two hits and three walks. Senior righty Shawn Racignol (Petoskey) pitched two hitless shutout innings, while walking three, but got out of a bases loaded, no outs situation in the eighth inning.
     Senior right-hander Chad Snyder made his first appearance of the season on the mound and shut down the Cardinals. He allowed only six hits in eight innings, while walking three and did not strike out a batter. Josh Wigginton struck out two in pitching a perfect ninth inning.
     Junior second baseman Jason Valenzuela (Ontario, CA) had two hits, including a double for SVSU, and earned a spot on the All-Tournament team. Senior shortstop Kraig Enders (Sanford/Sanford-Meridian) joined him with a hit and a walk in the championship game. Also on the team for the Cards was sophomore left-handed pitcher Andy Scott (Bay City/Western).
     Valenzuela finishes with a school-record .448 season batting average. The Cardinals also had school records for most wins, fewest losses and best winning percentage (.778).
     "We had a good run," said 18th-year Cardinal skipper Walt Head, whose team finished with a 40-11-1 record, its second GLIAC title and first-ever NCAA post-season appearance. "These kids accomplished a ton this year. We're all sad now, but we have to be proud of the seniors and what they've done, plus there's a lot to look forward to with the young kids we have."
     Indianapolis (40-21) advances to the NCAA II World Series in Montgomery, Alabama May 27- June 3 and will meet the University of North Florida, the No. 1 team in the nation, in the opening game.

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