CRESTWOOD – Roosevelt made a first-inning run stand for the entire game as the Lakers split a doubleheader against Saginaw Valley State at Ozinga Field on Friday evening.
The final Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference series of the season did not get off to such a great start for Roosevelt. The Lakers fell behind early and never recovered in a 11-0 loss to the visiting Cardinals. However, Aramis Salmeron and Kevin Schroer combined to shut down Saginaw Valley State to preserve a 1-0 win in the second half of the doubleheader.
It is the first time in eight years that the Lakers (12-35, 3-19 GLIAC) have won a game 1-0, dating back to April 10, 2018 when they held off Olivet Nazarene by that score. It is Roosevelt's first shutout against an NCAA opponent since blanking Alcorn State in 2023 by a score of 15-0.
ROOSEVELT 1, SAGINAW VALLEY STATE 0
It was a pitcher's duel between two starters who had very opposite experiences on the mound. While Salmeron was mostly cruising through his six innings of work, the Lakers made Saginaw Valley State's starter work for his outs. Roosevelt saw 37 pitches in the first inning then added another 30 in the second frame.
The only thing the Lakers had to show for their patience at the plate was the single run that came in the opening frame. Ian Bagaconza was hit by a pitch then moved up on a wild pitch that eventually led to a Tyler Ruete walk. Two batters later, CJ Chalk hit a sharp single into centerfield, scoring Bagaconza for the game's only run.
It proved to be all Salmeron needed as he looked mostly unfazed during his time on the mound. He allowed just two hits and struck out four batters, staying out of trouble for much of the game. The Cardinals' biggest threat came in the third inning when a throwing error from Jack Hoh allowed a leadoff single to reach second. A sacrifice bunt put the runner on third base, but Salmeron picked up a swinging strikeout and easy fly ball to right field to escape the jam.
Roosevelt had some chances to add to its lead starting with that first inning. Hoh followed Chalk's RBI single with a walk to load the bases, but the threat ended there. It was a similar situation in the second when Quinn O'Bryan and Bagaconza hit consecutive two-out singles then Ruete followed with a walk to load the bases.
In the fifth, Chalk hit a two-out single then stole second base and advanced to third when the throw ricocheted off his foot while he was sliding and bounced into center field. The Lakers then put their first two hitters on in the seventh with a Bagaconza single and Ruete walk, but could not advance them from there.
Schroer relieved Salmeron and allowed just two hits in three innings to pick up his first save of the season. The junior gave up a single to the first batter he faced but navigated around that situation. His other hit allowed was a two-out single in the ninth, but he caught the Cardinals looking at strike three to finish off the game.
SAGINAW VALLEY STATE 11, ROOSEVELT 0
The Cardinals went up 8-0 after two innings after scoring four in each of their first two trips to the plate. Kyle Maslan came on to stop the bleeding for the Lakers, throwing 4.2 innings of relief and allowed just two runs – one of which was earned – and allowed just five hits with a pair of strikeouts.
However, Roosevelt's offense was inconsistent and grounded into two backbreaking double plays. The Lakers had moments to score like Alejandro Munoz's two-out triple into the right-field corner in the first inning. Chalk also delivered a leadoff double in the sixth and moved to third on a wild pitch, but the Lakers recorded three consecutive outs.
O'Bryan finished the opening game with two of Roosevelt's five hits and went 2 for 4 at the dish. Kyle Jannenga supplied the only other hits with a two-out single in the fourth inning.
UP NEXT: The Lakers and Cardinals meet Saturday at noon for another doubleheader, this time at Saint Xavier University. With Ozinga Field unavailable this weekend, Roosevelt will close out its season at the home of its former CCAC rival with a twinbill.
