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.