March 25, 2005
Baseball
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

SVSU SPLITS VERSUS GANNON TO OPEN GLIAC PLAY

ERIE, Pa. - The Saginaw Valley State baseball team got off to a split versus Gannon at Mercyhurst College's baseball field in a frigid start to the GLIAC season. The Cards dropped a 1-0 decision in game one despite a two-hitter by sophomore Scott Schlaff (Warren, Mich./Mott). Schlaff did make a critical error in the fourth inning on a failed pickoff attempt which allowed a runner to score from third base. Schlaff gave up one hit to begin the first and also surrendered a leadoff single in the fourth. He struck out eight and walked one in six innings (1-1). Senior Chris Norton (Grand Rapids, Mich./Catholic Central) went 1-for-2 with two walks in the two spot of the lineup. Senior Joe Funsch (Clio, Mich.) belted his first triple in four at-bats. The Cards left 10 on base in game one.
      SVSU came back for a 9-8 win in game two, but held on to win after allowing seven runs in the bottom of the seventh. Gannon trailed 9-1 going into the final at-bat and left bases loaded as SVSU surrendered five hits in the inning. SVSU scored two in the top of the first and added three runs in the fourth and four more in the fifth. Freshman Scott Roy (Mt. Morris, Mich./E.A. Johnson) started the game and threw five innings allowing one earned run and two hits with five strikeouts. Roy did pick up the win, his first of the season. Junior Justin Doughty (Oscoda, Mich.) provided power from the ninth spot with his first homer of the season, a three-run blast over the left field wall in the fourth. Senior Justin Hanning (Lake Orion, Mich.) went 2-for-3 with two RBI.
     SVSU (5-2, 1-1 GLIAC) will conclude a four-game set against Gannon with a doubleheader tomorrow.

Game 1, Game 2

Contact: Ryan Thompson (989) 964-4053

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