May 1, 2005
Softball
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CARDS SPLIT WITH MERCYHURST AND EARN SIXTH SEED IN GLIAC TOURNAMENT

UNIVERSITY CENTER, Mich. - The Saginaw Valley State softball team overcame an 11-0 game one loss to salvage a split with Mercyhurst on Sunday winning game two by the final score of 4-1. The Cardinals needed the win in game two as they cemented a spot in the GLIAC Tournament next Friday and Saturday at Emerson Park in Midland. The Cardinals will be the sixth-seed and face third-seeded Ferris State on Friday, May 6 at 9:00 am.
    The Cardinals were roughed up in game one with Mercyhurst breaking open a 3-0 game heading into the seventh with eight runs to win 11-0. Karen Ray (Fenton, Mich./Lake Fenton) surrendered 12 hits and four earned runs in the loss. SVSU managed three hits as Denise Betts (Harbor Springs, Mich.) went 2-for-2 and reached on a hit by pitch.
     SVSU scored two runs in the first and second innings in game two and held on for a 4-1 win. Lorelea Rice (Caledon East, Ont.) went the distance and allowed four hits and struck out six. The Lakers scored one unearned run in the bottom of the seventh and Rice struck out two with the bases loaded to seal the win. Rice improved to 9-5 on the year and walked one. Monica Sims (Millbury, Ohio) drove in two runs and was 2-for-3 with a double. Emily Byram (Grand Rapids, Mich./Allendale) was 2-for-4 with her third triple and scored a run. Katie Albert (Waterford, Mich./Kettering) reached base three times with two walks and a double.

Game 1, Game 2
     

Contact: Ryan Thompson (989) 964-4053

##SVSU##