Release courtesy of the SVSU Sports Information Department
SALEM, Va. - A two-run sixth inning and a
four-run seventh by Saginaw Valley State, combined with a superb
performance by Jade
Fulton, propelled the Cardinals past #2 North Georgia 7-1
Saturday in an elimination game to advance to the semi-finals of
the NCAA Division II Softball Championships.
SVSU got on the board in the second with the game's first
run. Jillian
Peterson (Freeland, Mich.) walked and eventually wound up on
third thanks in part to a sacrifice bunt and a wild pitch. She
promptly came home on Kailah
Happ's (Waterford, Mich.) sacrifice fly to center field for the
1-0 advantage.
Jade Fulton (Byron, Mich.) seemed to stay strong despite pitching
earlier in the day. She kept the Lady Saints off the board until
the fifth.
In NGU's at bat in the fifth, Katherine Martin belted a solo round
tripper, knotting the game at one apiece.
However, the Cardinals would swoop in and snag two runs in the
sixth for a commanding 3-1 advantage.
Natalie
Wellman (Fairhaven, Mich./Anchor Bay HS) led things off with a
single. After a single and a passed ball, she was on third base.
Wellman came home on a sacrifice fly by Marcy
Medina (Valparaiso, Ind/Wheeler HS) for a 2-1 margin. Monica
Gathright (Baroda, Mich.) singled, driving home Peterson for
the 3-1 score. Peterson had singled, moved to second on the passed
ball and scampered to third on the sacrifice fly, putting her in
scoring position.
The Cardinals broke open the close game in their last turn to bat.
Ashley
Coffin (Sterling Heights, Mich./Stevenson HS) doubled and came
home on Wellman's single. Wellman moved to second and after a walk,
scored on Medina's single. Gathright doubled home Peterson and
Gathright for a 7-1 lead.
For the game, Fulton posted the win. She allowed just one run on
four hits while striking out 10. Sarah Phillips took the loss,
giving up seven runs on nine hits.
SVSU improves to 42-17 on the season and will advance to face UC
San Diego tomorrow at 12 p.m. for a berth in the national
championship. The Cardinals would have to defeat the Tritons twice
to advance to the title game. NGU concludes the season at
53-11.