Baseball Sweeps Doubleheader Versus Saginaw Valley State

MIDLAND, MICH. – The Northwood University baseball team picked up a doubleheader sweep over rival Saginaw Valley State Saturday afternoon (April 25). The Timberwolves picked up a 3-0 win in game one before taking game two 6-3.

Northwood is now 24-18 overall, 17-9 in the GLIAC. SVSU falls to 15-18-1 overall, 7-10-1 in the GLIAC. NU is now second in the GLIAC North Division and third overall in the GLIAC.

In game one, Northwood was held hitless in the opening three inning but broke through in the fourth. The Timberwolves plated three runs in the inning thanks to RBI hits by Zyke Bailey (Taylor, Mich./HS Truman) and Travis Smith (Clare, Mich.). The Cardinals had chances to get on the board but were unable to score in the contest.

For the game, SVSU had 10 hits to six for Northwood. Both teams drew two walks in the contest.

Smith finished with a pair of doubles and an RBI. Tanner McCarn (Olivet, Mich./Kellogg CC) also added a pair of hits and a run. Luke Bivens (Battle Creek, Mich./Lakeview) tossed a shutout to improve to 6-1 on the season. He scattered 10 hits over seven innings (all singles) while walking two in his third career shutout.

Northwood took the early lead in game two, scoring a pair of runs in the second inning. SVSU responded with a run in the third, but the Timberwolves score two in the fourth and one in the fifth to make the score 5-1. The Cardinals got two back in the sixth but were held off the scoreboard the rest of the way. NU added an insurance run in the eighth to close out the scoring.

Northwood out-hit SVSU 10-7 in game two. SVSU had two walks to three for Northwood. A big key to the game was extra base hits, as NU had four (three doubles, one triple) while SVSU had zero.

Wayne Moak (Marysville, Mich.) went 2-2 with a triple, three runs score and an RBI. Ben Balgaard (Fenton, Mich./Howell) went 2-2 with two RBIs, while Smith went 2-3 with a double, a run scored and an RBI.

Sophomore Alex Lewandowski (Macomb, Mich./Dakota) picked up the win on the mound, allowing one earned run in six innings of work to improve to 7-3 on the year. The seven wins tie the Northwood school records for wins in a season. Four other pitchers have won seven games in a season – Colt White (1995), Toby Mattson (1994), Jim Kurlinski (1993) and Roy Ruhle (1985).

Shawn Larner (Gladwin, Mich./Alma College) came out of the bullpen to pick up his third save of the season. He allowed just hit over the final three innings while striking out two.

Northwood will host SVSU for another doubleheader Sunday (April 26). First pitch is set for Noon.