Ferris 12, Grand Valley 2

ALLENDALE - Playing well on the road, Ferris State University rolled to a 12-2 five-inning win over Grand Valley State University to sweep a Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference series on the home field of the Lakers.

The Bulldogs continued to hit the ball well as Ferris pounded out 12 runs on 12 hits. It was a hit party for Ferris as Chelsea Morris had three hits and an RBI, Rachel Wade has two hits and three RBI, Rhea Flores had three hits, Makenzi Peterson had a hit and an RBI, Rachel Mueller had a hit and an RBI, and Amanda Harrington had a hit and two RBI.

The Bulldogs scored once in the first, five times in the third and six times in the fourth.

Kayle Stevenson earned the win as she pitched five innings, allowed six hits, two runs (one earned), four walks and had three strikeouts. With the win, Stevenson improved to 12-6 on the season.

With the win, Ferris improves to 26-16 overall and 17-9 in GLIAC competition.

Ferris 7, Grand Valley 0

ALLENDALE - I am following the Ferris State University-Grand Valley State University softball doubleheader on Gametracker, the Bulldogs won the first contest by a score of 7-0 over the Lakers.

The Bulldogs scored once in the first, twice in the third, once in the sixth and three times in the seventh inning to earn the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference victory on the home diamond of the Lakers in Allendale.

Freshman pitcher Dana Bowler was superb as she threw all seven innings, surrendered just two hits, issued one walk and struck out seven.

Rhea Flores was 2-for-3 with two runs driven in, Lynsay Weaver was 1-for-3 with three runs driven in and two scored on a homer and Rachel Mueller was 1-for-3 with a run scored and an RBI. Amanda Harrington was 2-for-2 at the plate. Other Ferris players who recorded hits in the game were Rachel Wade, Morgan Kramerich, Makenzi Peterson and Colleen Roney. In all, Ferris pounded out 10 hits and scored seven runs on Laker pitching.

Ferris is now 25-16 overall and 16-9 in the GLIAC.

Game two is already underway and I will be updating later.

Bulldogs Get Split Against Northwood In Dramatic Fashion

MIDLAND - Needing to salvage a win in some way, shape or form, Ferris State University reached down deep and escaped Northwood University with a much-needed softball split in Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference softball action.

The Bulldogs (24-16 overall, 15-9 GLIAC) dropped a 4-0 decision in game one of the doubleheader, but rallied in the bottom of the seventh inning of game two to take a 7-6 win over the Timberwolves in Midland.

Northwood's game-two heartbreak was a translated into a very important road triumph for the Bulldogs who remain a contender in a tightly-contested battle for the top spot in the GLIAC, for seeding in the league tournament and for NCAA regional rankings.

Game 1: Northwood 4, Ferris State 0

Junior catcher Rachel Mueller had two hits. Senior designated player/pitcher Rhea Flores, junior shortstop Lynsay Weaver and sophomore pinch hitter Lindsey Pettit each had a hit for the Bulldogs in the game-one setback. In spite of five hits, the Bulldogs were not able to push a run across the plate against the Timberwolves. Most of the damage Northwood inflicted came mostly from the top five spots in its lineup. Batting first and second, Rachel Hammer and Jamie Swick each had a hit and an RBI. NU did get some production from other spots in the lineup, but it was the top that did a good deal of the damage. Dana Bowler took the loss for the Bulldogs while Jessica Wojcik picked up the victory for Northwood.

Game 2: Ferris State 7, Northwood 6

Ferris State made created a lot of drama, but it's better to be on the positive side of a dramatic fashion than on the negative side of it. Sophomore third baseman Makenzi Peterson (pictured) tied the score at 6-6 on an RBI single. It's not the most thrilling way to end a game, but a sacrifice fly from Flores scored freshman outfielder Morgan Kramerich to give the Bulldogs a come-from-behind win over the host Timberwolves. Flores had two hits and two RBI, Peterson had two hits and an RBI, senior center fielder Rachel Wade had a hit and an RBI, Mueller had a hit and an RBI and senior second baseman Amanda Harrington had a hit and an RBI.

Ferris Hangs On To Beat Saginaw Valley In Game One, 6-5

UNIVERSITY CENTER - Ferris State University had to take it right down to the end, but emerged victorious over Saginaw Valley State University in game one of a Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference doubleheader.

The Bulldogs scored a 6-5 win over the Cardinals (April 24) as Rhea Flores came on in relief of starter Dana Bowler to shut the door on an SVSU rally in the bottom of the seventh inning.

This series is monumentally important for Ferris which needs wins this weekend (against Saginaw Valley and Wayne State University, two of the top teams in the league, region and nation) to keep alive for the conference title and in contention for the NCAA Tournament (both still very real possibilities).

Morgan Kramerich was 1-for-4 with a run scored (a home run) and two RBI, Flores was 3-for-4 with a run scored and a run driven in, Colleen Roney was 1-for-3 with a run scored and an RBI and Amanda Harrington was 1-for-3 with an RBI. Rachel Mueller also had two hits for the Bulldogs.

Ferris splits a twinbill against Ashland

Ferris State catcher Rachel Mueller makes a tag for an out at home plate during game two of the Bulldogs' Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference series against Ashland University at the FSU Softball Field. (Photo/Sandy Gholston)

BIG RAPIDS - With Ashland University coming to town for a softball doubleheader, Ferris State University knew it had its hands full going against one of the top teams in the region and a strong team on the national scene.

The Bulldogs managed to salvage a split with a 6-3 loss to the Eagles in game one before Ferris bounced back to earn a 3-1 win over Ashland in game two of the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference softball series at the FSU Softball Field. The Bulldogs of head coach Keri Becker, now 18-13 overall and 9-6 in the GLIAC this spring. The split keeps the Bulldogs in the thick of a competitive race for softball supremacy in the conference as teams battle for position with the league tournament looming on the horizon in early May.

"We knew that they were on top of the conference and we needed to win both and we settled for a split," said shortstop Lynsay Weaver, a junior from Bay City who prepped at All Saints High School. "But, a split felt good after game two and that now we have a chance to get it rolling this week."

In game one, against the Eagles, Ferris was doing well before it hit a buzzsaw in the fifth inning. Ashland (26-10 overall, 15-5 GLIAC), a team that rolled to two relatively easy wins on Saturday against Grand Valley State University, exploded for five runs in the top half of the inning to take a 5-0 lead. It looked as if AU might do the same to the Bulldogs. Ferris responded with one run in the bottom of the fourth and two more in the bottom of the seventh before the Eagles held on for a 6-3 win.

Morgan Kramerich, a freshman left fielder, was 2-for-4 with a run scored and a run driven in. Sophomore first baseman Chelsea Morris was 1-for-3 with a run driven in and senior center fielder Rachel Wade was 1-for-3 with a run driven in and a run scored. Freshman Dana Bowler took the loss for the Bulldogs as she pitched three full innings before being relieved by Rhea Flores.

In game two, senior pitcher Kayle Stevenson picked up the win as she tossed all seven innings, allowed five hits, one run (earned) and two walks. At the plate, Morris quietly continued a solid game as she had one hit in three trips to the plate with two runs driven in. Sophomore second baseman Makenzi Peterson was 1-for-3 with a run scored and an RBI. Wade and senior second baseman Amanda Harrington also added hits.

"Coach always talks about responsiveness and that you can either take it with you or you can forget about it. We forgot about it," Weaver said. "Our defense played great, our pitching was great and we got the hits when we needed to get them."

In the most recent NCAA Division II Midwest Region poll (April 14), Ashland was ranked second while Ferris was ranked 10th.

There is no rest for the Bulldogs. Ferris is back in action on Monday (April 19) when they travel to Sault Ste. Marie in the Upper Peninsula to take on Lake Superior State University in a two-game GLIAC series beginning at 3 p.m.

Ferris Drops Two Games To No. 14 Saginaw Valley

Ferris State's Amanda Harrington slides into third base during Wednesday afternoon's game against No. 14 Saginaw Valley State University at the FSU Softball Field in Big Rapids. (Photo/Sandy Gholston)

BIG RAPIDS - The box scores for Wednesday afternoon's Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference softball games show nine hits in two games for Ferris State University against No. 14 Saginaw Valley State University.

But, the Bulldogs of head coach Keri Becker had a hard time stringing together hits to put runs on the scoreboard against the visiting Cardinals and ultimately were swept by scores of 2-0 and 4-1 at the FSU Softball Field in the GLIAC openers for both teams. Throughout the game, Becker encouraged her team to be a little more selective at the plate, to wait on good pitches and then drive them to spots on the field. But, Ferris had a tough time stringing those hits together against Saginaw Valley's pitchers.

In the first game of the afternoon, the Bulldogs were held scoreless on four hits against SVSU pitcher Jade Fulton (7-1 on the season), who was superb with seven strikeouts and only one walk. Accounting for the Ferris hits were freshman left fielder Morgan Kramerich, junior shortstop Lynsay Weaver, sophomore third baseman Makenzi Peterson and senior second baseman Amanda Harrington.

In the circle, senior pitcher Kayle Stevenson took the loss for the Bulldogs as she dropped to 3-5 on the season. Stevenson threw all seven innings, allowed nine hits, two runs (both earned), walked one and struck out one. The run support was not there for Stevenson, who surrendered just the two runs (both of which were scored in the third inning).

In game two, the Bulldogs drew first blood as Rhea Flores picked up an RBI as she grounded out to score Kramerich (who reached on a single up the middle).

The Cardinals, however, responded with two runs in the bottom of the second and two more in the bottom of the fourth to take command of the game.

Freshman pitcher Dana Bowler took the loss for the Bulldogs as her record fell to 3-4 on the season. She threw six innings, allowed six hits, four runs (all earned), two walks, struck out three and was charged with two wild pitches. Kari Bowlby earned the win for SVSU as she improved to 6-0 on the season.

Again, the Bulldogs had trouble mustering run support. Ferris had five hits (three of which were from Kramerich, who had a solid afternoon). Flores and Peterson had the other two hits.

Ferris, now 9-9 on the season, hosts Lake Superior Sate University on Friday in a doubleheader with the first game to begin at 3:30 p.m.

Game one box score
Game two box score

Stevenson Has High Hopes For The Bulldogs During Her Senior Season

BIG RAPIDS - Kayle Stevenson has been on quite a journey since her prep days as a student-athlete at West Ottawa High School in Holland.

A crafty lefty pitcher by trade, Stevenson began her career at Hillsdale College before she transferred to her current softball home: Ferris State University. As is the case with any college athletics career, Stevenson has had her share of ups and downs. But, as she embarks on her final season of college softball, she is hopeful to end what she started on a high note marked by team success for head coach Keri Becker's softball squad in the face of a challenging schedule.

As snow falls outdoors, Stevenson and her teammates continue preparation for their spring softball campaign indoors inside the Ewigleben Sports Complex. Conditions are hardly ideal, but over the years the conditions have in many ways toughened up these Bulldogs and made them particularly hungry to take their game outdoors as weather permits. Even with the early challenges, Stevenson thinks practice has been positive to this point.

"Practice is going well so far," said Stevenson, who was 12-1 last season with a 0.91 earned run average and 60 strikeouts as part of a banner 2009 spring season that witnessed her named second-team All-GLIAC. "We've been indoors which is difficult and we've had a few injuries in the preseason, but players should be healthy and coming back soon so we will be at full strength pretty quickly."

Hopes are running high for this team in 2010.

This year, as a senior, leadership duties fall largely on the shoulders of experienced players like Stevenson - players who understand what it takes to be successful against top-notch Division II opposition. Stevenson expects to show her leadership by example, but she also can be vocal when she needs to and likely will as this season continues for the Bulldogs.

"It is definitely a challenge, but it's an exciting one. Having people that look up to you," said Stevenson, who played her freshman year (2006) at Hillsdale, transferred to Ferris, sat out in 2007 and resumed her playing career in 2008. "You have to be a good role model, work hard and practice hard. You hope that when people see that from you then they will do the same."

By nature, softball clearly is an outdoor sport. But, the necessity for teams from cold-weather regions to begin their seasons indoors is a test of patience, creative practicing and more.

"A little changes when we come inside," said Stevenson, who batted .269 last season with seven hits in 19 games. "We get more back to basics and a lot of repetition with grounders, hitting off tees and making sure everything is intact so we're ready to go when we finally get outdoors."

Ferris is scheduled to begin its season earlier than usual as it heads south for the Alabama-Huntsville Charger Chillout. The tournament is scheduled for Feb. 19-21 in Decatur, Ala. and is hosted by the University of North Alabama (one of the premier Division II programs in the nation). The Bulldogs are scheduled to face tough competition with games against North Alabama and regional rival Indianapolis (to name two).

Expect some fired-up Bulldogs the minute they can play outdoors.

"It will be awesome to get outside, finally," said Stevenson, who ranks 18th among FSU's career pitching leaders in strikeouts (104), 20th in appearances (35) and 21st in wins (15). "It takes a toll on you when you're inside because of this weather. But, we're really excited to go to Alabama and get a few games under our belt and see what we still need to work on and see a glimpse of what we can be this season."

The fall was a perfect opportunity for the veteran Bulldogs to get to know the new teammates a little better. While Ferris does have its share of experience returning, led by its senior class (Stevenson, Amanda Harrington, Rhea Flores and Rachel Wade) it also has a good-sized group of freshmen (Liz Hamming, Lainee Clay, Morgan Kramerich and Dana Bowler).

"Our underclassmen have come a long way since the fall," Stevenson said. "They've stepped into their roles and things are looking good."

Five Bulldogs Named To GLIAC All-Conference Softball Teams

MIDLAND – Ferris State University had five of its players named to the 2008 All-Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) Softball Teams and two others who were honorable mention selections.

Earning first-team All-GLIAC honors were junior first baseman Amanda Jager, and junior utility player Sarah Mueller. Named to the second-team all-league were junior pitcher Holly Bruntjens and sophomore second baseman Amanda Harrington. The honorable mention picks for Ferris were junior catcher Krystle Bailey and freshman outfielder Lynsay Weaver, who also has played at shortstop for the Bulldogs.

“You don’t have the success we’ve had without good players and the players who were recognized have played a big role in the success of our team this season,” said Ferris State head coach Keri Becker, who was named the “Michael J. Corbett” GLIAC Coach of the Year. “For me, winning an individual award, like Coach of the Year, can only happen if you have players who perform well on the field.”

Jager’s honor is well deserved with her consistency hitting the ball and, in general, getting on base for teammates to drive her in. Through Friday morning’s game against Mercyhurst, to start the GLIAC Tournament, Jager was batting .389. Mueller, with her pitching and her hitting near the top of the Bulldogs’ order, has been doubly important for the team throughout the spring. Harrington and Bruntjens bring a steady component for Ferris that avoids peaks and valleys. Bailey has been a rock of stability behind the plate and Weaver is just scratching the surface of her great potential.

In other awards news, “Player of the Year” was Saginaw Valley State’s Stacy Kraatz, “Pitcher of the Year” was Wayne State’s Molly Yetman and the “Freshman of the Year” was Ashland’s Erica Miller.

SPRING 2008 BLOG 11: Ferris Seeks To Get Back Its Killer Instinct

BIG RAPIDS, Mich. – Ferris State is hopeful its killer instinct is back.

After returning from Florida one game below .500, at 7-8, the Bulldogs could hardly wait to get back on the softball diamond. After having a tournament canceled and a home game canceled – both do to poor weather conditions – Ferris looked toward this past weekend to get started with a pair of Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference doubleheaders against Gannon and Mercyhurst.

As important as it was for the Bulldogs to get wins, it also was critical to reestablish their killer instinct. Several times, while in Florida, Ferris struggled to finish some games it felt it should have won. That was not the case this past weekend – in chilly weather conditions in Big Rapids. After giving up the first two runs to Gannon, in game one of Saturday’s doubleheader, the Bulldogs took control. Ferris was dominant through the next three-plus games to beat the Lady Knights 4-2 and 5-0, on Saturday, and the Lakers 5-0 and 10-0, on Sunday.

The performances had a lot of people in crimson and gold smiling.

“The offensive machine is up and running right now … we had some good and key hits in these games and we’re starting to string together a lot of those hits we need to get runs up on the scoreboard,” said Ferris head coach Keri Becker, whose squad is now 11-8 on the season and 4-0 in the GLIAC. “We wanted to get it started and we did that, but we were also able to keep it going and that was one of the best things to see about our offense.”

In the first game, Ferris struck early with three runs right off the bat and added two more for insurance – one apiece in the third and fifth innings. Senior Katie Kraai, batting cleanup, had two hits in two trips to the plate with a home run, three runs driven in and one run scored. Sophomore Amanda Harrington was 2-for-4 with two runs scored as Ferris tallied five runs on six hits.

Junior pitcher Sarah Mueller proved superb with seven innings pitched, four runs allowed and three strikeouts for her fifth win of the young season against three losses.

In game two, the Bulldogs turned the killer instinct up a little more right off the bat with all 10 of their runs scored in the top of the first inning. Mueller had two hits in two trips with two runs scored and three runs driven in. Junior Krystle Bailey had two hits (with two RBI) while freshman Lynsay Weaver had a pair of hits with a pair of runs driven in. Juniors Amanda Jager and Holly Bruntjens, along with Harrington, each had one hit with a run driven.

In the circle, Bruntjens and sophomores Rhea Flores and Kayle Stevenson combined on a one-hitter effort with nine strikeouts. Bruntjens, who pitched only the first inning, earned the win to improve to 6-3 on the season. All of the pitchers, including Mueller, toughened up when they needed to over the weekend in front of a solid defense.

Ferris’ wins were complete team efforts – just what the doctor ordered for the Bulldogs who next are scheduled to see some tougher competition next weekend on the road at Northwood, in Midland, and at Saginaw Valley State, in University Center.

SPRING 2008 BLOG 10: Weather cooperates, bats come alive for Bulldogs

BIG RAPIDS, Mich. – Leaving behind ideal weather and softball-playing conditions, in Florida, Ferris State found itself back indoors upon its return to Michigan.

The Wayne State Tournament was canceled and bad weather also cost the Bulldogs a home doubleheader against Aquinas, scheduled for Wednesday. Saturday, however, the weather was not perfect, but it was more than good enough to put the softball in play as Ferris welcomed Gannon to the FSU Softball Field to begin Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference competition.

“It’s always nice to be able to get back on the field after you come back from Florida,” said Ferris head softball coach Keri Becker as her team is now 9-8 overall and 2-0 in the GLIAC. “The weather is something you have to deal with. We actually were able to work on a lot of things inside and we accomplished a lot so when we got back on the field, outside, we were able to get back at it.”

To start game one, the Bulldogs showed some signs of some of the troubles that plagued them at times in Florida. Ferris fell into a 2-0 hole as the Lady Knights capitalized on a pair of Bulldog errors to claim an early lead. This time, however, Ferris showed it has learned from some of the lessons of its time in the Sunshine State.

Junior first baseman Amanda Jager had an RBI single in the bottom of the fifth inning, but that was just the beginning. Sophomore second baseman Amanda Harrington had an RBI double, Sarah Mueller had an RBI double and junior catcher Krystle Bailey had an RBI double to turn a 2-1 deficit into a 4-2 lead – in a heartbeat.

“It was perseverance,” said Becker as she reflected on her team’s come-from-behind 4-2 win in game one that set the stage for a sweep as the Bulldogs took game two 5-0 to begin league play 2-0. “That’s one of the things about this team that’s so good. They’ve persevered through a lot of things and they realize that there’s too much talent and too much potential on this team not to be able to come out of (the early struggles).”

In game two, senior third baseman Katie Kraai finished 2-for-4 with a run scored and two driven in, Jager was 1-for-3 with a run scored and one driven in, Bailey was 1-for-3 with a run scored and one driven in and freshman outfielder Lynsay Weaver also was able to drive in a run.

In the circle, Ferris enjoyed solid pitching performances from game-one junior starter Holly Bruntjens (seven innings, six hits, two runs, two walks and three strikeouts) and game-two junior starter Sarah Mueller (seven innings, two hits allowed, one walk and four strikeouts) to complement a defense that got tougher as the day went on.

SPRING 2008 BLOG 9: Ferris ends on a high note with two wins – now looks ahead

KISSIMMEE, Fla. – Ferris State had the look of a team hungry to finish its annual spring softball trip on a high note and that showed Saturday at the Rebel Spring Games in Kissimmee, Fla.

A strong finish was important for the team. A 4-2 start turned nightmarish as the Bulldogs fell to three games below .500 at just 5-8 entering their final day of the trip to central Florida. Adversity – as is so often the case – is a true test of character for a team as Ferris discovered on Saturday. It was decision-making time for the Bulldogs who had to decide on what note they wanted their Florida trip to end with games against St. Xavier and New Haven left.

Ferris answered the loud call, however, and played some of its best ball of the week as the team secured wins of 8-4, against St. Xavier, and 8-0, against New Haven to end the trip just an eyelash below the .500 mark at 7-8.

Perhaps, most importantly of all, head coach Keri Becker’s team now has a point of reference to figure out where they want their season to go from here.

Here is an early evaluation of the Bulldogs:

INFIELD: Ferris has a veteran presence on its infield with Amanda Jager, an experienced junior, playing first base; Amanda Harrington, a sophomore, solidifying the team up the middle from second base; McKenzie West, a junior, who returns at shortstop with starting experience; Katie Kraai, a senior, who has become a cornerstone at third over the years; and Krystle Bailey, who has been a rock-solid presence behind the plate as the starting catcher. Becker also has used redshirt freshman Rachel Mueller, at first base, and freshman Lynsay Weaver, at shortstop, to mix things up during portions of the trip.

OUTFIELD: This was the area where the Bulldogs knew they were going to be a little youthful with a lack of experience. Juniors Sarah Mueller and Holly Bruntjens are pitchers who have had some time in the outfield in the past. Another pitcher, Kayle Stevenson, also has been inserted into the outfield, mostly in right, this spring so far. Becker also has mixed true freshmen like Weaver, Colleen Roney, Brooke Lewis as well as redshirt freshman Rachel Wade – among others – in the outfield. There is some potential out there on the grass, for the Bulldogs, but gaining confidence and experience will be a big key for Ferris.

PITCHERS: Ferris has a deep roster of pitchers and all saw action during the week in the circle for Becker. Mueller, Stevenson, Bruntjens, Rhea Flores and Jager all had opportunities to prove themselves as Ferris continues its evaluation for the upcoming Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference schedule that begins not long after the return to Michigan. Like the rest of the squad, the pitchers had their highs and lows, but when they were on their game they were awful tough. On Ferris’ final day, which featured games against St. Xavier and New Haven, the Bulldogs enjoyed strong pitching efforts from Mueller and Bruntjens as the offense also came through for a pair of wins.

OFFENSE: Ferris, at times, blinded opponents with flashes of offensive brilliance as it used the long ball, at times, and used the short game, at other times, to find success with run production. One of the early bright spots was the production of the lower half of the order which showed some potential to put a lot of runs on the scoreboard as Bruntjens, Weaver and Roney had their bright spots delivering hits and driving in runs. Jager has been off to a hot start swinging the bat and working her way on base via the walk or as a result of being hit by pitches. Bailey, hitting in the No. 3 spot, had a big final day as she batted 2-for-3 with a run scored and an RBI against St. Xavier and then 1-for-2 with a run scored and a run driven in against New Haven.

DEFENSE: This is an area of concern for the team, but when the focus was present the Bulldogs were solid behind their pitching staff. When the defense and pitching clicked together, with a little bit of scoring, Ferris proved tough to handle. Over the course of the week, Ferris started to cut down on some of the errors that had plagued them at times.

ANALYSIS: The team is not in its ideal position, with a record of 7-8, but they do now have a point of reference from which to look ahead. Ferris must continue to cut down on errors (mental and physical errors), find ways to string hits together a little better and stay mentally tough and together from start to finish. The pieces are in place – as proven by the team’s preseason No. 25 national ranking and how high the Bulldogs were picked to finish in the GLIAC.

Now, it’s time to just do it.

SPRING 2008 BLOG 5: A Lesson Learned By The 2008 Bulldog Softball Team

KISSIMMEE, Fla. – A rare tripleheader for the Ferris State softball team began with promise, in Clermont, Fla., but ended as a nightmare of sorts on Wednesday afternoon in Kissimmee, Fla.

Ferris’ morning began with a trip to the National Training Center for an added game against American International College in Clermont. After beginning with a 3-0 lead, Ferris’ nightmare began as AIC rallied to tie the game in the seventh inning to force some extra softball. After the Bulldogs were held scoreless, in their half of the eighth, with International Tiebreaker rules in effect, American International ended the contest as Kellie Brown blasted a 2-run walk-off homer for a 5-3 victory. The day was only in its infancy, however. Still, a return to Osceola County Softball Complex proved little better for the Bulldogs as the team was blanked 9-0 in five innings, by C.W. Post, before Ferris fell by a 7-1 score to Indianapolis.

Ferris’ 0-3 day dropped the team’s record to 4-5 on the season and left the squad searching for answers to reverse what began as a promising season that included a national ranking. That ranking is gone, but the Bulldogs still have a whole lot of softball left to be played – in Florida and beyond. The quest for answers continues for a talent-rich Ferris team that ended Wednesday under the lights learning about how fun softball can be from a group of young girls playing on Thacker Field near Osceola High School in Kissimmee – the place where Ferris’ softball trip started on Friday.

A long day of softball ended with the Bulldogs attempting to reconnect with their roots – to learn how fun a game softball can be for young girls they spent time into the darkness under the lights after a three-loss day of college softball action.

There was a lesson to be learned. Sure, college softball is in many ways a high-stakes business for schools, coaches, players and parents. But, in a lot of other ways, it’s still that once-innocent and fun game so many people fall in love with at a young age. Wednesday night was about rediscovering the roots of what it means to participate in sports and appreciating the privilege of what it means to compete as a college softball player. Sure, it’s a business of sorts with money, scholarships and pressure. But, as head coach Keri Becker attempted to show as she put her kids in the company of a much younger group of girls, the high-pressure world of college softball does not have to be a fun-free activity.

Wednesday’s opening loss to American International spoiled a solid pitching effort by Amanda Jager, who threw eight innings, allowed five hits, five runs (four earned), walked two and struck out three. The big hit of the contest was Brown’s 2-run blast that ended the game in the eighth. It also spoiled her day at the plate as she had two hits in three trips as did Sarah Mueller, who also scored two runs scored, batted in two runs, hit a triple and belted a home run.

After that, however, Ferris’ offense dried up in a major way. Amanda Harrington had the lone hit in the Bulldogs 9-0 loss to C.W. Post while Katie Kraai and Harrington had the only two hits in the 7-1 loss to Indianapolis to wrap up the day.

A tripleheader that began with promise ended in heartache.

But, the Bulldogs can learn from the young girls they had a chance to spend time with following their day of disappointment on the diamond: Softball is highly competitive, but it’s also a game – a game that can still be fun.