Lady Cardinals Split Opener
Feb. 24, 2001

FT. MYERS, FL – The Saginaw Valley State University softball team opened the season by splitting a double header with Clarion University, Saturday. The Golden Eagles took the first game 1-0, but the Cardinals came back to win the nightcap 13-1. Junior right-hander Carrie Shay (Flint/Burton Bendle) twirled a two-hitter, but allowed one unearned run in absorbing the loss for SVSU. She walked one and struck out four. "She really pitched an excellent ball game," said Coach Fred Neering. "Their only two hits were push bunts, so she didn't give up a hit out of the infield." Clarion scored the only run of the game in the second inning, when a two-out slow grounder was booted, the runner to score from third. SVSU managed just three hits, including a double by junior Becky Bourcier (Montrose) and singles by junior Brandi Srda (Clio) and senior Libby Poellet (Frankenmuth). The Cardinals had runners in scoring position in the second, fifth and sixth innings, but couldn't score. "We hit the ball well, but we had two runners doubled off first base on lineouts," said Neering. "We struck out six times, including three looking. That was one of our goals to eliminate looking strikeouts. We just didn't adjust to the outside pitch. We were a little to anxious." The Cardinals settled down in the second game and freshman right-hander Courtney Pintek (Flushing) pitched a brilliant game in her collegiate debut. She gave up only one hit and two walks, while striking out four. "She was very relaxed on the mound," said Neering. SVSU scored six runs in the first inning to start the scoring barrage. Junior April Vega (Essexville/Garber) hit the first pitch for a double, Poellet singled and Srda added an RBI single. Bourcier capped the scoring with a three-run triple. The Cardinals added three more runs in the second when junior Whitney Babcock (Bay City/All Saints) followed three walks with a bases-clearing double. Babcock later homered for a four RBI day. "We were an entirely different team," said Neering. "The key was we settled down and played the game the way we're supposed to." SVSU takes a 1-1 record into tomorrow's games. The Cardinals play Augustana College (SD) at 9 a.m. and face GLIAC rival Gannon University at 1 p.m. on Sunday.