MARION, Ind. -- Spring Arbor (Mich.) University plated four runs in the bottom of the sixth to overtake Indiana Wesleyan University softball 5-4 in the first game of the NCCAA Midwest Regional Tournament in Marion, Indiana.

Staked to a 4-1 lead in the sixth inning, the defense fell apart for the Wildcats as the Cougars scored four unearned runs in the inning. SAU first baseman Debbie England came up with the clutch hit in the inning as her two-run single scored the tying and go-ahead runs with two outs.

Abbie Forman was the tough luck losing pitcher as all five Spring Arbor runs were unearned. She did not walk a batter and struck out four.

Forman helped herself at the plate in the second inning with a 2-run home run for the early 2-0 advantage. Spring Arbor cut the lead in half in the fourth on the back of two Indiana Wesleyan errors to extend the inning.

The Wildcats increased their lead to 4-1 in the fifth thanks in part to a Cougar error. Designated player Dana Runyan hit a deep fly ball to center that should have been out number three. But the ball was dropped and rightfielder Gabby McIntire and centerfielder Tamara Davis each scored.

After Spring Arbor (19-21) captured their first lead of the game in the sixth, Indiana Wesleyan threatened in the seventh. McIntire reached first on an infield single with one out but was unable to reach any further.

McIntire led the Wildcats with a 3-for-4 day and a run scored while Davis was 2-for-4 with one run. Runyan, second baseman Chelsea Jones and Forman all finished 1-for-3.

Spring Arbor advanced to play top-seed Cedarville (Ohio) University for the nightcap on Friday. Cedarville (29-17) won 10-5 to advance to the regional championship.

Indiana Wesleyan (21-18) and Spring Arbor will play again at 1 p.m. on Saturday with the winner advancing to the championship. The winner of IWU-SAU will need to defeat Cedarville two times to win the regional title and earn the automatic bid to the NCCAA National Championship.

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