Alma Takes Two From SVSU
March 28, 2001

UNIVERSITY CENTER – Alma College spoiled the home opener for the Saginaw Valley State University softball team Wednesday, taking both ends of a double header by scores of 1-0 and 4-2.
     Freshman Jamie Stahl blanked SVSU in the first game, allowing only two baserunners, including a two-out fifth-inning single by senior Tiffany Martin (Flushing). Stahl struck out five, improving to 9-2.
     The Scots, ranked No. 8 in NCAA Division III, scored their only run in the fourth inning on a leadoff double by Julie Wiest and one-out singles by Susan VanderPutten and Stephanie Smith.
     Junior Carrie Shay (Flint/Burton Bendle) took another hard-luck loss, dropping to 1-4 on the season. She allowed 10 hits and a walk, while striking out four.
     SVSU snapped a string of 15 straight scoreless innings against Alma, taking a 2-1 second-inning lead in the night cap.
     Freshman Leya Taylor (Saginaw/Michigan Lutheran Seminary) led off with a double, was sacrificed to third and scored on a sacrifice fly by junior Michelle Huber (Yale). Senior Becky Bourcier (Montrose) doubled and scored on a single by freshman Jesse Kaniszewski (Kingston).
     Alma scored a pair of unearned runs in the fourth inning to regain the lead and added an insurance in the top of the seventh.
     Freshman Christina Fuciarelli (Washington/Harper Woods Regina) allowed only one earned run in a seven-inning stint for SVSU, falling to 0-2. She yielded seven hits and a walk.
     Freshman Paula Stanford raised her record to 7-4 for Alma, giving up seven hits and a walk, while striking out five.
     Boucier had two hits for SVSU, while sophomore Kate Tisdale (West Branch/Ogemaw Heights) added a double.
     Alma has won all three meetings with the Cardinals this season, improving to 16-7 overall, while SVSU dropped to 6-8.
     The Cardinals open the GLIAC season this Saturday by hosting Lake Superior State University in a double header at 1 p.m.