Four runs surrendered over the course of the final three innings proved too much for the Dragons to overcome, as they dropped the series finale to the Saginaw Valley State Cardinals 5-1. The Dragons' offense was stymied all day by the Cardinals pitching, holding Tiffin to only four hits, with only one being for extra bases.
Jake Monnin's feet were held to the fire from the opening frame, but the right-hander was able to strand the bases loaded to keep the game tied. In the 2nd inning the Cardinals were able to scratch a run home with a double to take a 1-0 lead.
The Dragons' offense got on the board in the 3rd, using Brayden Callihan's lead off single to get the frame started. Callihan swiped second, and then moved to third base on a wild pitch. Alec McCurry's run-scoring ground out to second base tied the score at 1-1.
The two sides were quiet on the offensive end in the 4th, 5th, and 6th innings. The Cardinals then went on the attack in the 7th, taking a 2-1 lead with a hit and an error. In the 8th Saginaw Valley scored twice to push their lead to 4-1. For good measure, the Cardinals added a run in the 9th to lead 5-1. The Dragons had a chance in the 9th, as John Heckman led off with a double to right center field. But the Cardinals' bullpen managed to shut the door on the Dragons, stranding runners at second and third base.
Aaron George took the loss on the mound in relief, allowing an unearned run in the 7th inning. Jake Monning had his best performance on the mound to date, tossing six innings of one run baseball in a no decision.
The Dragons fall to 8-10 overall and 2-2 in the GLIAC.