April 5, 2005
Softball
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CARDS EARN SPLIT WITH MADONNA

LIVONIA, Mich. - The theme of April continues to be split as the Saginaw Valley State Cardinals did so for the third straight time this month, this time against the Madonna Crusaders. SVSU dropped a 3-2 decision in 10 innings in game one despite a two-hit performance from junior Karen Ray (Fenton, Mich./Lake Fenton). Ray pitched nine innings and allowed one earned run with no walks and 10 strikeouts, falling to 5-5 on the mound. It was the third time she had 10 or more strikeouts in a game this season. SVSU managed seven hits off starter Liz Ballinger who also went the distance. Both teams scored one run in the fourth inning as the Cards' Jamie Seaman (St. Clair Shores, Mich.) had an RBI single scoring Katie Albert (Waterford, Mich./Kettering). Each team then scored one run in the ninth inning using the international tiebreaker rule which puts a runner on second to begin the inning. Stephanie Sills (Clinton Twp., Mich./Chippewa Valley) had a two-out single that scored pinch runner Lindsay Ferrari (Macomb, Mich.) to give SVSU a 2-1 lead. Kathy Day's groundout to first with one out scored Lynzee Smith to tie things up at 2-2. After SVSU left the bases loaded in the top of the tenth, Madonna scored on a fielding error with no outs scoring Heather Richardson with the winning run. Seaman was the leading batter for SVSU going 2-for-4.
     The Cardinals jumped out to a 2-0 lead after two innings in game two and added four runs in the fourth inning before winning 6-2. SVSU scored all four runs in the fourth with two outs as five straight hitters reached base. Sophomore Denise Betts (Harbor Springs, Mich.) and senior Emily Byram (Grand Rapids, Mich./Allendale) each had two RBI in the inning. Betts had a two-run single to right and Byram laced a triple to right field. Lorelea Rice (East Caledon, Ont./Mayfield Secondary) picked up the win (5-3) throwing four innings and striking out eight. Betts was officially 1-for-1 with two walks and three RBI. Rice was also 2-for-2 at the plate and scored a run.
     Saginaw Valley State (11-10) will travel to Ashland on Saturday, April 9 for a GLIAC doubleheader beginning at 12:00 pm.

Game 1, Game 2
     

Contact: Ryan Thompson (989) 964-4053

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