UNIVERSITY CENTER, Mich. – The Saginaw Valley State University softball team advanced to the NCAA Division II Softball Midwest Super Regional with a 7-2 win over Drury on Saturday afternoon. The Cardinals (46-12) used a two-run home run from Kenzie Bromley to take a 2-0 lead in the fourth before a grand slam by Emma Helvie put it away in the sixth inning.
Aalana Kimble (W, 20-5) earned her 20th win of the season in the circle with her 15th complete game of the season. Kimble surrendered five hits and two runs while retiring eight Panther hitters on strikes. Bromley recorded two RBI with her home run, while Helvie had a game-high of four RBI. Mya Purdy had the final RBI for SVSU.
Bromley broke the deadlock in the fourth inning with her two-run home run to give the Cardinals a 2-0 lead.
Ella Reifschneider singled to get on base in the sixth inning. Bromley and Elliott then walked to load the bases as Purdy stepped to the plate. Purdy then singled to right field to score Reifschneider and extend the lead to 3-0. Helvie's grand slam came on the next play to extend the lead to 7-0 and clear the bases.
Brooklyn Lachappa singled to get on base and set up Victoria Garland's two-run home run that prevented the shutout and put the score at 7-2. Kimble bounced back with a strikeout looking before forcing two groundouts to seal the win.
UP NEXT: The Cardinals will face Hillsdale or Indianapolis in the Midwest Super Regional next week. Opponent and location have yet to be determined.
