UNIVERSITY CENTER, Mich. - The Saginaw Valley State University softball team defeated Northern Kentucky 1-0 today (May 13) in the first round of the NCAA Midwest Regional #2.

For the second time in three years a NCAA Regional contest turned into another classic pitchers dual between Jade Fulton (Byron, Mich.) and April Ehlers; the game would remain scoreless until the bottom of the seventh when the Cardinals scored their lone run. Kaitlyn Kenyon (Tecumseh, Mich.) lead off for Saginaw Valley in the bottom of the seventh inning and singled deep in the hole to the shortstop. Sophomore Kalie Burdick (Milford, Mich.) reached first on a fielders choice and moved pinch runner Tori Taylor (Kitchener, Ont,) to second base, Taylor would advanced to third on a Norse throwing error setting up the dramatic finish for the Cardinals.

Sophomore Kailah Happ (Waterford, Mich.) stepped into the box and after taking a strike, laid down a suicide sacrifice bunt that would allow Taylor to cross the plate and give the Cardinals a 1-0 victory over Northern Kentucky. 

Fulton pitched all seven innings for Saginaw Valley, strikingout 10 batters and allowing just two hits on the afternoon. 

With the win the Cardinals improve to 36-16 overall on the season, while the Norse fall to 29-16 overall on the season. Saginaw Valley will be back in action Saturday (May 14) when they face Indianapolis who defeated Ashland 1-0 in game two of the NCAA Midwest Regional #2, first pitch is scheduled for 11:00 am.