TRAVERSE CITY -- The SVSU Baseball team faced #11 Ashland University in the opening round of the 2019 GLIAC Tournament. In what was a tight game throughout, the Eagles got a walk-off home run in the bottom of the 9th inning to break a 6-6 tie and claim an 8-6 victory.
Saginaw Valley struck first in the contest, using an Adam Turner double off the left field wall to score Collin Winters for a 1-0 lead.
After the Eagles knotted the score at 1-1 in the home half of the 2nd inning, the Cardinals went for three runs in the top of the 3rd to take a 4-1 edge. Andrew Burke scored to begin the inning and Derrek Clyde scored next, with both runs coming off of errors. Craig Wilson then came through and drilled an RBI single to plate Jordan Swiss for the team's fourth run.
AU responded and made the score 4-3 in the home half of the inning with two runs.
No runs came again until the top of the 6th inning. That's where Wilson knocked-in Turner for another run to give the Cardinals a 5-3 lead over Ashland.
Three runs came Ashland's way in the 6th, however, giving the Eagles a 6-5 edge over SVSU. That score held true until the 9th inning.
With Ashland's closer in the ball game with a one-run lead, Saginaw Valley worked as Burke began the inning with a walk. Clyde flew-out to center field next, but the center fielder tried doubling-off Burke at first and the ball sailed into the SVSU dugout. That put Burke at third base with one out.
Swiss came through clutch next, ripping a single through the right side to push Burke across and knot the game at 6-6.
The Cards, however, had to deal with the heart of the Eagle order in the bottom of the 9th. No. 2 hitter Matt Littrell singled to right field to begin the inning. Then, with two strikes on him, Carson Mittermaier drilled a walk-off home run to center field, ending the ball game with a final score of 8-6.
Wilson finished with two hits and a pair of RBI for SVSU and Turner had a pair of doubles off the wall with an RBI and run scored. Winters added two hits and a run scored. Burke scored twice and had a hit and Swiss had an RBI single and run scored. Clyde finished with a hit and run as well.
Kyle Henigan got the start and had a no-decision, pitching 4.0 innings. He allowed three runs (2 ER) on six hits with a walk. Brandon Wise pitched an inning, allowing three runs on four hits with a walk and strikeout. Alex Millhisler (0-2) took the loss after working 3.0 innings, allowing two runs on a pair of hits. He sruck-out a pair and had one walk.
Up Next...
Saginaw Valley will face Purdue Northwest Friday morning in a 10:30 a.m. matchup. It will be an elimination game to see who will advance in the tournament. You can follow all of the action live at svsucardinals.com on the baseball schedule.
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