FINDLAY, Ohio - Coming off an opening day split at the 2016 GLIAC Softball Tournament, #6 seeded SVSU saw its season come to an end after falling to the #4 seeded Ferris State University Bulldogs in Saturday morning's elimination game by a final score of 6-3.
After the Bulldogs jumped out to a quick 1-0 lead with a run in the bottom of the first inning, SVSU responded with single runs in the top of the second and third innings to take the lead at 2-1. Shelby Weeks led-off the second with a solo home run to knot the score. In the third, Madison Burgess had a bunt single and was moved to second on a Danielle Hamilton sacrifice bunt. After Burgess advanced to third on a groundout, she was brought home by an Evy Lobdell RBI single to make the count 2-1.
Ferris State answered with a trio of runs in the bottom of the fifth inning to take the lead and make it 4-2. The Bulldogs did have two hits but were aided by three Cardinal walks and a hit by pitch.
SVSU manufactured a run in the top of the sixth to cut the deficit to 4-3. Breanna Dinsmoore was hit by a pitch and lifted for pinch runner Becky Corbett. She moved to third on a single by Kennedi Thomas. Corbett then crossed the plate after a squeeze bunt play from Burgess.
The Bulldogs added two unearned runs in the bottom of the sixth, capitalizing on a pair of Cardinal errors to make the count 6-3 heading into the final inning. That's where the score stood, with Ferris advancing in the tournament after the victory.
Inside the Boxscore
- Weeks's 12th home run of the season tied the single season record at SVSU, set in 2003 by Kelly Martin. She walked once as well for SV.
- Burgess had a pair of hits with an RBI in the contest.
- Thomas had her first career two-hit game for SVSU.
- Lobdell had a hit and an RBI in the contest to go along with a walk.
- Sarah Appold (9-8) took the loss in relief of starter Samantha Willman. Appold worked 3.0 innings, allowing three runs on one hit, striking out three and walking three as well.
Up Next...
Saginaw Valley's season ends with a final record of 32-17; the second straight 30-plus win season for SVSU. The Cardinals graduate five seniors from this year's team and will return plenty of talent and youth for the 2017 campaign.
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