Lady Cardinals find unwanted pattern of splits

April 3, 2006 —

by Brandon Kish

Freshman Nicole Fick is forced out at second base by Grand Valley State's Rachel Hall in Game 1 of a doubleheader on Saturday. The Lakers and Lady Cardinals split the two games, with GVSU winning the first game 2-0 and SVSU needing nine innings for a 4-3 Game 2 victory.

by Brandon Kish

Freshman catcher Jessica Anhel shakes senior pitcher Karen Ray in the sixth inning of SVSU's 2-0 loss in Game 2 on Saturday.

The SVSU softball team has found itself a pattern, but that does not mean coach Sabrina Lane likes it.

The Lady Cardinals split their fourth consecutive doubleheader on Sunday, losing 8-1 in Game 1 at home to Ferris State before beating the Bulldogs 7-3 in Game 2. The split came one day after SVSU split with Grand Valley State at home, losing 2-0 and then needing 9 innings to take the second game 4-3.

"We always seem to take Game 2," Lane said. "It's what we're good at. But we are going to have to find a way to get it done in Game 1, too."

SVSU relied on a grand slam from senior Tabitha Greenwood and six strong innings from freshman Stacy Kraatz in Game 2 for the victory. Greenwood's slam was part of a five-run fifth inning that pushed SVSU's lead to 7-1.

"Tabitha was clutch," Lane said. "Her grand slam allowed us some breathing room and let us just go out there and play. She did a great job."

Lane said Kraatz set the tone for the team after the 8-1 drubbing in Game 1.

"She has the potential to do that with the bat and on the mound," Lane said.

The freshman was hot from the start, as she struck out nine batters in improving her record to 4-4 on the season.

Kraatz took a no-hitter into the fourth inning and gave up two runs before being taken out with no outs in the seventh inning. Junior Lorelea Rice came on in relief, allowing a run (charged to Kraatz) before ending the Bulldogs' chances.

Lane added that removing Kraatz after the lead was cut to 7-2 had less to do with Kraatz and more to do with Rice's experience.

"I have a lot of confidence in Lorelea," Lane said. "She's been in that situation many times. Stacy was getting a little tired because she had thrown a lot of pitches. We just wanted to close the game out."

Senior Monica Sims had a strong game from the leadoff spot, going 2-for-3 with two RBIs and a walk. Kraatz helped herself out, scoring a run and going 1-for-4, while Rice went 2-for-4 with an RBI and a run. Freshman Nicole Fick went 1-for-3 and scored two runs.

The Bulldogs were able to take Game 1 as freshman Sarah Mueller dominated the SVSU hitters and the plate, as she went 3-for-5 with a two-run home run and pitched a four-hitter.

Freshman McKenzie West added a solo shot for the second homer off of senior Karen Ray.

Ray, whose record dropped to 4-11 on the season, had a tough outing after holding Grand Valley to just two runs the day before. Ray gave up six runs, four earned, and 12 hits in 4 1/3 innings.

Sophomore Lindsay Noren came on in relief of Ray and gave up four runs as well.

Freshman Jessica Anhel scored the Lady Cardinals' lone run in the fourth inning off a groundout by freshman Mallory Miller.

The day before, SVSU's hitting woes continued, getting shutout in Game 1 before needing 9 innings to plate four against Grand Valley.

Freshman Lori Andjelich pitched the complete game shutout in Game 1, allowing just three hits and striking out seven.

Ray took the loss, pitching 5 1/3 innings and allowing both runs in the top of the sixth off of a double by sophomore Lisa Preuss. Noren came on in relief, pitching the final 1 2/3 innings to keep the game close.

SVSU loaded the bases in the bottom of the seventh, but senior Monica Sims flied out to end the game.

Sims was one of three Lady Cardinals with a hit, going 1-for-4. Rice went 1-for-2 with a walk, and freshman Jessica Anhel went 1-for-3 from the cleanup spot.

The Lady Cardinals bounced back in the second game off Kraatz' strong performance at the plate and on the mound. She went 3-for-5 with a two-run single in the top of the fourth to give SVSU a temporary 3-2 lead.

Kraatz relieved Rice in the bottom of the fifth after Rice gave up her third unearned run of the game, striking out two batters in a row to get the Lady Cardinals out of a jam. She pitched the final 4 2/3 innings, striking out seven while allowing four hits in earning the win.

SVSU won the game off a two-out single by Anhel, which scored the leadoff hitter Sims.

Rice had a tough game at the plate, going 0-for-4, but allowed just one hit in pitching 4 1/3 innings.

All three runs she allowed came off of SVSU errors. The game was riddled with errors, as the Lakers had five themselves.

Andjelich took the loss in pitching the last three innings in relief.

With the two splits, the Lady Cardinals sit at 12-18 and 2-2 in the GLIAC. They travel to Oakland University on Wednesday for a game before hosting Madonna University on Thursday.

SVSU continues its GLIAC schedule with home doubleheaders against Ashland and Findlay next weekend.