Portions of release are courtesy of Grand Valley State and Saginaw Valley State athletic communications
ALLENDALE, MICH. – The second-seeded Grand Valley State softball team claimed a 1-0 win over No. 3-seed Saginaw Valley State in the NCAA Midwest Region #2 Championship game in eight innings. The Lakers advance to the NCAA Midwest Super Regional series next weekend at top-seeded Indianapolis (Thursday, May 18–Friday, May 19).
The final game was a pitchers' dual through eight innings. Grand Valley State's Hannah Beatus, the GLIAC Pitcher of the Year, recorded out eight strikeouts, three walks and allowed two hits. SVSU's Jaclyn Groves and Emily Depew combined to surrender four hits to the Lakers.
Heading into extra innings, Morgan Wagner walked with two outs to give the Lakers a base runner in the top of the eighth. Kelsey Komorous broke it open for Grand Valley State with a deep shot to left center for a double and plated Wagner.
Saginaw Valley State advanced to the championship after winning a 12-inning thriller over Missouri-St. Louis. SVSU broke a 3-3 tie with a bases-loaded single by Maddie Campagna that brought Sarah Gersch across the plate for the lead in the top of the 12th inning. Depew earned the win in the circle, her 19th of the season, going seven innings while striking out five.