KISSIMMEE, Fla. - The Saginaw Valley State University softball team split on day four of the Rebel Spring Games, defeating Northern Kentucky 2-0 before falling 4-3 to Lock Haven in eight innings.

GAME ONE
The Cardinals offense once again gave starting pitcher Jade Fulton (Byron, Mich.) all the run support she would need in the top of the first when Ashley Jordan (Freeland, Mich.) laced a double over the left fielder's head that scored Billi Hoeppner (Hemlock, Mich.) to give SVSU an early 1-0 lead. It would turn into a pitcher's duel from there, as both starting pitchers kept opposing hitters off balance, combining for 29 strikeouts.

SVSU would add an insurance run in the top of the fourth inning when Hoeppner singled in Lauren Memmer (Waterford, Mich./Lakeland HS) to increase the Cardinal advantage to 2-0.

Cardinal ace Fulton was once again the story, as she allowed just two hits over seven innings and struck out 15 Norse hitters, improving her record to 3-0 on the season.

GAME TWO
Saginaw Valley would face the defending National Champions in Lock Haven in game two and found themselves in a 2-0 hole going into the bottom of the fourth inning when Monica Gathright looped a pinch hit single that score Angela Kaiser (Waterford, Mich./Our Lady of the Lakes HS) before Kalie Burdick (Milford, Mich.) was thrown out trying to move from first to third on the play.

Lock Haven would add a run in the top of the fifth to extend its lead to 3-1 before Saginaw Valley would add another run in the bottom half of the inning when Jillian Peterson (Freeland, Mich.) scored from second on a single up the middle by Jessica McKeith (River Rouge, Mich.) to move back within one run at 3-2.

The Cardinals would tie the game in the bottom of seventh when Memmer singled home pinch runner Allison Jaskullka (Madison Heights, Mich./Lamphere HS) to tie the score at 3-3, but would be unable to pull out the win in regulation.

Lock Haven would push a run across in the top of the eighth, leaving the Cardinals with just one last opportunity to pull out a win. SVSU would move international tie break runner McKeith over to third, but would be unable to move her across the plate as they fell 4-3 in eight innings.

Saginaw Valley is now 7-2 overall on the season and will be off on Tuesday (Mar. 9) before returning to the field for the conclusion of their spring trip at the Rebel Spring Games.