KISSIMMEE, Fla. - The Saginaw Valley State University women's softball team opened the 2011 season with a 4-2 win over Northern Kentucky in game one at the Rebel Spring Games and a 4-2 loss to Shippensburg in game two. 

The Cardinals took an early lead over Northern Kentucky going up 2-0 in the top of the first. The first run came across the plate when senior Ashley Jordan (Freeland, Mich.) singled to right center field scoring junior Natalie Wellman (Fairhaven, Mich. / Anchor Bay HS).  Saginaw Valley went up 2-0 when junior Kalie Burdick (Milford, Mich.) singled through the right side scoring Jordan. Jordan would force a throwing error in the top of the second inning to score Wellman to give the Cardinals an early 3-0 advantage over the Norse.

Saginaw Valley would extend its lead to 4-0 in the top of the sixth inning when freshman Tori Taylor (Kitchener, Ont. / Grand River CHS) pinch ran and stole home.  Northern Kentucky would try and mount a come back scoring two runs in the bottom of the sixth but it would not be enough as the Cardinals would go on to a 4-2 victory.

Senior Jade Fulton (Byron, Mich.) got the win for Saginaw Valley, pitching all seven innings and striking out seven, notching her first victory on the season. Senior Jill Peterson (Freeland, Mich.) went three-for-three, while junior Ashley Coffin (Sterling Heights, Mich. / Stephenson HS) went two-for-three in the contest.

In game two the Cardinals fell behind 3-1 after three innings of play against Shippensburg. Saginaw Valley scored in the bottom of the second when Burdick doubled to left center scoring senior Monica Gathright (Baroda, Mich. / KVCC). The Cardinals scored their only other run of the game in the bottom of the fourth inning off a Wellman double to left field. Shippensburg scored one more run in the top of the seventh inning making the final score 4-2.

Sophomore Alexa Gehrls  (Caledonia, Mich.) got the start in the circle pitching 2.1 innings with two strikeouts, making her 0-1 on the season, while Fulton entered the game in relief, pitching 4.2 innings with five strikeouts for Saginaw Valley.  

Peterson ended the day going five-for-six, while Burdick went four-for-six for the Cardinals.

Saginaw Valley will be back in action on Sunday (Mar. 6) when they take on Minnesota State-Mankato at 9:00am and Lewis University at 11:00am.