WINTER HAVEN, Fla. - The Saginaw Valley State University baseball team dropped a pair of contests to the University of Mary (3-5) to open the 2009-10 season.  The Cardinals (0-2) lost the first game, 4-1 before losing 9-0 in the nightcap.

In the first game, SVSU fell behind 2-0 when the Marauders plated a pair of runs in the top of the first inning.  The Cardinals would get one back after sophomore Matt Hunt (Howell, Mich./Concordia University) scored on a single by senior Josh Peterson (Midland, Mich./Bullock Creek HS).  Mary would add another two runs in the top of the fifth, as Saginaw could not respond, falling 4-1.

Freshmand Kyle O'Boyle (Midland, Mich./Bullock Creek HS) went 2-for-3 in the game, while Hunt also had two hits in four at-bats.  Peterson and senior Kevin Dore (Kawkawlin, Mich./Muskegon CC) each added singles in the game.  Sophomore Colin Coulter (Clio, Mich./Powers Catholic HS) took the loss on the mound, working 5.1 innings and striking-out five Marauder batters.

In the second game, the Cardinal offense wasn't able to get things going, getting only three hits throughout the game.  Mary was up 3-0 after three, and added four runs in the fifth and two in the sixth to close-out for the 9-0 victory.

Hunt and Dore each posted singles in the nightcap, while senior Charlie Thomas (Northville, Mich.) also had a single.  Junior Kevin Kerner (Richmond, Mich.) was the pitcher of record for the Cardinals despite having eight strikeouts in four innings of work.

Saginaw Valley returns to action Saturday (Mar. 6), as they play a twinbill against Assumption College beginning at 4:00 pm in Auburndale, Fla.