DETROIT -- The seventh-ranked Wayne State University softball team (49-11 overall) suffered a 4-3 setback to Saginaw Valley State University (30-15 overall) to force an "if necessary" championship game Sunday afternoon at the WSU Softball Stadium.

The Warriors struck first with a run in the top of the first.  Senior shortstop Jaci Banton (Richmond Hill, Ont. / Cardinal Carter) doubled off the center field wall with one out.  Following a walk to sophomore third baseman Rebecca Stanley (Waterloo, Ont. / Waterloo C.I.), sophomore first baseman Becca Ryan (Westland, Mich. / Dearborn Divine Child) delivered an RBI single up the middle.

WSU held a 1-0 lead until the bottom of the fourth.  After a walk to the leadoff batter, and a sacrifice bunt, Jillian Peterson singled to put runners on the corners.  Angie Kaiser recorded an RBI fielder's choice.  A pair of Warrior errors on the next batted ball allowed three runners to score giving the Cardinals a 4-1 advantage.

Wayne State battled back in the top of the seventh as sophomore right fielder Alison Allen (Redford, Mich. / Farmington Hills Mercy) had a one-out double on a 3-2 offering from SVSU pitcher Kari Bowlby (12-4).  Two pitches later, Banton smacked her first home run of the season scoring pinch-runner Kassie Snyder (Marine City, Mich.).  A ground out and a line out ended the contest.

Senior pitcher Casey Hanes (Richmond, Va. / Douglas Freeman) started for WSU and allowed four runs (one earned) on two hits with seven strikeouts and two walks.  Senior Nicole Abel (Kitchener, Ont. / St. Mary's) allowed one hit in her inning of work.

Bowlby allowed three earned runs on eight hits striking out one and walking two.  She stranded seven WSU base runners.

Banton and Ryan each had two hits for WSU.