Saginaw Valley State scored three runs in one inning and two runs in another, spoiling Ashland University's softball team's return to the NCAA Division II postseason by a 5-2 score, in the first round of the Midwest split regional tournament in Indianapolis, Ind., on Thursday (May 14) afternoon.
 
The Eagles (32-18) will face Great Midwest Athletic Conference rival Tiffin (34-15) in an elimination game at 1:30 p.m. on Friday (May 15). AU will be the designated home team.
 
Thursday's game was Ashland's first in 12 days, since the championship game of the 2026 Great Midwest Tournament on May 2. It also was the Eagles' first NCAA D-II playoff game since May 9, 2015.
 
Ashland struck first on Thursday, thanks to the team-lead-tying seventh home run of the spring from junior shortstop Sophia Martin – a two-run shot. Saginaw, however, was able to post three runs in the bottom of the fourth take the lead – all as a direct result of Eagle errors.
 
The Cardinals added two insurance runs with two outs in the bottom of the sixth.
 
Of Ashland's four hits on Thursday, two came from Martin (2-for-3, double, home run, run scored, two RBIs). She has homered in four consecutive games.
 
Senior pitcher Delaney Lis (12-8) allowed seven hits, five runs (three earned) and three walks and struck out three in six innings.