Miscues Lead to Cardinal Loss
March 2, 2001

FT. MYERS, FL – The Saginaw Valley State University softball team lost to Wartburg College, IA, Friday, but according to Coach Fred Neering, the Cardinals beat themselves. The Knights scored four times on just two hits in the first inning with the help of five Cardinal errors and went on to a 7-3 victory. Wartburg also took an 8-3 decision from SVSU on Tuesday. The Cardinals scored three times in the second inning on a singles by senior Jocelyn Gubancsik (Burton/Flint Kearsley) and junior April Vega (Essexville/Garber), a two-run double by junior Becky Bourcier (Montrose) and an RBI single by freshman Jesse Kaniszewski (Kingston). "We were only down 5-3 after two innings, but we gave them two more runs with a couple of errors in the third," said an unhappy Neering. Freshman right-hander Courtney Pintek (Flushing) hit the first batter of the game and allowed seven hits in four innings, but deserved a better fate in dropping to 4-2 on the season. Junior right-hander Carrie Shay (Flint/Burton Bendle) worked three scoreless innings in relief, allowing a hit and a walk, while striking out two. "We had eight hits and had scoring chances, but we could get a clutch hit," said Neering. Vega added a triple and Kaniszewski was 2-for-4 to pace the Cardinal offense. The Cardinals (4-6 overall) close their Florida schedule with a pair of games Saturday, meeting Salem International University, WV, at 11 a.m. and LeMoyne College, NY, at 1 p.m.