UNIVERSITY CENTER – There were four teams in this particular 2009 NCAA Division II Midwest Sub-Regional Softball Tournament, but it came down to the two teams most observers expected: Ferris and Saginaw Valley.
Battling for the right to advance to the Super Regional, the Bulldogs and Cardinals were set to go to battle for the fourth time this season on the diamond. The teams split an early-season doubleheader in University Center and the Cardinals won a contest in the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Tournament in Midland the week prior to regionals. A doubleheader scheduled to be played in Big Rapids, on the last weekend of the regular season, was rained out.
That was all history, however, as the Bulldogs and Cardinals stepped onto the diamond Sunday to resume the rivalry – with eyes set on staying alive for a shot to advance to nationals.
As expected, the two teams battled to a near draw. Ferris pitcher Kayle Stevenson was brilliant as she carried a no-hitter into the sixth inning. SVSU’s first hit, however, was a monster one. Nikki Bigelow blasted a shot to deep center field that bounced off the scoreboard for a Saginaw Valley home run.
“Kayle has pitched great for us all year,” Ferris head softball coach Keri Becker. “She had the one pitch that was a changeup that was a little low and (Bigelow) went down, and dug it out and drove it out. It was a great hit for Saginaw Valley, but I can’t fault Kayle for the game she gave us out there. She had a great pitching performance.”
Bigelow’s homer plated the lone run of what was a well-played game by both rivals that went down as a 1-0 win for Saginaw Valley.
Ferris ends its season with a 35-10 record. The Bulldogs graduate seniors Sarah Mueller, Krystle Bailey, Amanda Jager, Shannon Roney and Holly Bruntjens.
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