TRAVERSE CITY -- Squaring-off for the sixth time this season, the SVSU Cardinals and Northwood Timberwolves competed in the 2019 GLIAC Tournament in hopes of advancing to Sunday's final day of action and a chance to advance to the NCAA Division II Midwest Regionals. Saginaw Valley did just that, posting a 6-3 victory over the Timberwolves after a complete game victory for freshman Ian Janssen and some stellar play defensively.
The Cardinals took a 1-0 lead in the top of the 1st inning, getting a good start when Derrek Clyde led-off the game with a double and was moved to third base on a Jordan Swiss sacrifice bunt. Clyde then scored on a Collin Winters groundout.
After the Timberwolves tied the game at 1-1 in the bottom of the 2nd, Winters drove home Andrew Burke to give SVSU a 2-1 edge. Burke reached base on a throwing error and was moved to third on a walk and another sac bunt from Swiss.
Two more runs came for the Cardinals in the top of the 4th, pushing their lead to 4-1. Burke had an RBI single to score Austin Koin and Thomas Loftus.
Single runs in the 6th and 7th innings, respectively, tacked-onto the lead once more and put SVSU ahead by a 6-1 count. Loftus knocked-in Adam Turner for the fifth run and Winters drilled a hard grounder for an infield hit to third base, allowing Clyde to score.
Things got interesting in the 9th inning, as the Timberwolves threatened, scoring two runs and having the bases loaded with the game-winning run at the plate. Janssen came through, however, getting a flyout for the game's final out and allowing the Cards another day with the elimination game victory, 6-3.
Janssen (2-2) had his first career complete game and second victory after striking-out six batters and walking four in the effort. He allowed three runs and scattered six hits.
Clyde had three hits in four trips to the plate, scoring a pair of runs and walking once. Winters had two hits and three RBI for the Cardinals. Burke had two RBI and a hit, scoring once as well in the victory. Koin had two hits with a double and scored once while Loftus had two hits, an RBI and scored once. Turner had a hit and scored a run and Wilson had a hit as well for SV, which pounded-out a dozen base hits.
Up Next...
SVSU faces Davenport University on Sunday morning at 11:00 a.m. at Pit Spitter Stadium. The Panthers face Ashland University Saturday evening and are the only team remaining in the tournament with zero losses. If Ashland wins, three teams will remain for Sunday action vying for the tournament title. If Davenport wins, it will face SVSU for the championship with the Cardinals needing a two wins for the championship.
Postgame Interview - Ian Janssen
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