UNIVERSITY CENTER, Mich. - Saginaw Valley State University took a 1-0 series lead over the University of Indianapolis after the first game of the NCAA Division II Midwest Super Regional on Friday (May 15). The Cardinals came from behind to defeat the Greyhounds, 2-1, in the first game of the best-of-three series that will conclude on Saturday (May 16).

The first five innings of the game was dominated by the two starting pitchers. SVSU sophomore Jade Fulton (Byron, Mich.) allowed just three hits through the first five frames, while UIndy’s Meagan Russell surrendered just three hits of her own through five.

The Cardinals threatened to score in the bottom of the sixth when junior outfielder Angela Kaiser (Waterford, Mich./Our Lady of the Lakes) led off the frame with a triple down the right field line. Senior outfielder Marsha Beaubien (Alpena, Mich.) followed with a walk. After senior first baseman Stacy Kraatz (Howell, Mich./Hartland) struckout, SVSU drew its second walk of the inning when senior catcher Jessica Anhel (Oxford, Mich.) earned the free pass. Senior shortstop Jessica Nicole Fick (Columbiaville, Mich./Lapeer West) then attempted a “suicide squeeze” bunt, but the Greyhounds were able to force out Kaiser at home plate. Sophomore outfielder Ashley Jordan (Freeland, Mich.) followed with a strikeout to end the inning.

Failing to score in the bottom of the sixth would prove costly as the Greyhounds managed a run in the top of the seventh. After a single from Ashley Boxley, UIndy’s Jessica Swanson reached base on a Cardinal error, advancing the runners to second and third. Jessica Breeden reached on a fielder’s choice that would score Boxley. The Greyhounds would manage to load the bases on a pair of singles, but junior Kari Bowlby (Elkhart, Ind./Central) relieved Fulton and was able to shut the door, getting a force out and a strikeout.

The Cardinals would start their comeback in the bottom of the seventh when sophomore Jillian Peterson (Freeland, Mich) recorded a one-out pinch-hit single. Peterson advanced to second on a groundout, and then to third after a UIndy infield error allowed Kaiser to reach second base.
Beaubien then lined a pitch up the middle that was tipped by Russell and gloved by the UIndy’s Jamie Keltz, but an errant throw allowed both Peterson and Kaiser to score to end the game.

Kari Bowlby (Elkhart, Ind./Central HS)came and get the last two outs in the seventh inning to pick up her 12 win on the season.

Saginaw Valley State improves to 39-9 on the season, while the Greyhounds fall to 34-19. The two teams will resume the series tomorrow (Saturday) at Noon, as the Cardinals will need just one win to advance to the NCAA Division II softball championship.