On Saturday, the Purdue Northwest baseball team faced Saginaw Valley State in the continuation of their four-game home series. The Pride split the day's matchups, losing the seven-inning game one 2-0 but bouncing back to win the nine-inning game two 9-6.
 
The Basics
•    Records: Purdue Northwest (17-19), Saginaw Valley (27-12)
•    Location: Hammond, Indiana
•    GLIAC conference doubleheader game.
 
The Breakdown
GAME ONE – L (2-0)

• Jayden Smith (Allegan, Mich./Allegan) would lead the Pride with two hits.
• Jax Kalemba (Chicago, Ill./Andrean) and Beldon Glasgow (Markle, Ind./Norwell) each would also contribute a hit.
• Conor Pangburn (St. John, Ind./Lake Central) started on the mound for Purdue Northwest throwing three innings while allowing three hits.
• A. Schweiger led Saginaw with a hit and an RBI.
• C. Raymond started and threw six innings, striking out eleven for the Cardinals.
• Saginaw Valley would take an early lead scoring two runs in the first inning of a double and a sacrifice fly.
• Saginaw would play solid defense and slam the door on any scoring opportunities the Pride would have, allowing them to take game one 2-0.

GAME TWO – W (9-6)

• Jayden Smith (Allegan, Mich./Allegan) would lead the Pride with three hits and two RBIs.
• Luke Montgomery (Orland Park, Ill./St. Laurence High School) would also contribute two hits and two RBIs.
• Blake Newell (Crown Point, Ind./Crown Point) started on the mound for Purdue Northwest throwing five innings while striking out two.
• Col. Cornwel led Saginaw with three hits.
• S. Hecht started and threw five innings, striking out two for the Cardinals.
• The game began with Saginaw Valley taking an early lead in the first inning, with A. Schweiger's sacrifice fly bringing in H. Jatczak, followed by R. Raymond capitalizing on a defensive error to score Col. Cornwel.
• However, Purdue Northwest quickly turned the tide in the second inning, with L. Montgomery's double bringing in G. Andrews and D. Ballard, leveling the score at 2-2. The game remained tense as both teams battled for control, with Con. Cornwel's double in the fourth inning briefly putting Saginaw Valley ahead.
• Undeterred, the Pride fought back in the fourth and fifth innings, with key hits from D. Ballard, C. Olson, B. Glasgow, J. Smith, and D. Puplava, resulting in a flurry of runs and giving the Pride a commanding lead of 7-3 by the end of the fifth inning.
• Despite Saginaw Valley's late-game rally in the eighth inning, with C. McClennen and H. Jatczak bringing in runs, Purdue Northwest maintained their composure. In a decisive moment in the eighth inning, N. Mangano's double brought in L. Montgomery, solidifying Purdue Northwest's lead at 9-6.

Up Next
The Pride next hit the field on April 21st at Dowling Park to conclude their four-game series against Saginaw Valley State. Game time is set for 12:00 AM CT
  Read Full Article