UNIVERSITY CENTER, Mich. – Purdue Northwest closed out the 2021 season with a series split at Saginaw Valley State following Monday's 12-9 setback to the Cardinals.
 
PNW wraps up the season with an overall record of 11-22 and 5-19 in conference play.
 
With the score tied 1-1 in the second inning, Saginaw Valley pushed across eight runs on nine hits to take control. The Cardinals pieced together seven two-out base knocks to keep the rally alive and the hosts eventually built a 9-1 lead.
 
The Pride got two back in the third inning on a pair of RBI grounders from Ray Hansen and Tyler Schultz.
 
However, SVSU (16-12) tacked on three more in the bottom half and held off the Pride's comeback attempt. PNW continued to chip away with runs in each of the final four frames, but it wasn't enough as the Pride couldn't overcome the second inning flare up. The Cards outhit the Pride 18-11 on the day while the Black & Gold went just 3-for-16 with runners in scoring position.
 
Jake Soules led the way with a 4-for-5 effort including a two-run blast in the ninth to cut the deficit to three. It was his team-leading fifth home run of the season. He also tripled while finishing a double short of the cycle.
 
Josh Lindeman provided a pair of RBI singles while Brett Veltema and Ethan Imlach notched an RBI each. Lindeman went 3-for-3 at the plate with his first collegiate hit. Luke Montgomery laced a leadoff double to open the game.
 
PNW starter Sean Casey (0-3) was tagged with the loss on the mound after lasting an inning and third-thirds. Andrew Farbak, Joe Buikema and Nathan Boyer closed out the game in relief. Buikema tied his season-long outing with four shutout frames.