Former Bulldog Jager Enjoying Her Experience Coaching In High School

BIG RAPIDS - Amanda Jager was a hard-nosed competitor who expected the most out of herself every time she stepped to the plate during her softball career at Ferris State University.

The numbers do not lie in the evaluation of Jager as a college softball player. With a career batting average of .312 (tied for 10th all time in Ferris State history), Jager, a Kalamazoo native who prepped at Comstock High School, enjoyed a strong career playing for the Bulldogs on the diamond. Jager has used her experiences (and others) in the next phase of her softball career - as an assistant varsity coach at Big Rapids High School for head coach Jamie Bechaz.

"They needed some help rebuilding programs and getting some insight and to have someone to push them a little harder and someone who was recently a player coming from a higher level of softball to come in and teach them new things from what I've learned," Jager said. "I have been all over the place. I've been doing pitching workouts with the pitchers, catching workouts with the catchers and I've been working with outfield and the infield having them do specific drills and focusing a lot on fundamentals. Making sure they have good mechanics and good fundamentals."

Jager, an All-GLIAC and all-region player during her career, ranks third all time on the Ferris list of career hitters (.516), first all time in on-base percentage (.434), eighth in doubles (35), third in home runs (17) and on and on the list goes for one of the more accomplished offensive players in Bulldog softball history.

One of the benefits of having a Division II university in Big Rapids, the size of Ferris, is a resource that sometimes makes talented young coaches available to get their start. In many ways, it's a mutually beneficial relationship that also works for the younger kids at Big Rapids to have college student-athletes taking interest in helping them learn and grow.

Jager is enjoying the experience working with the Cardinals as a varsity assistant.

"They're a great group of girls. They're a good group that really wants to learn and get better," said Jager, who was encouraged by Bechaz and by former BRHS varsity head coach and current Ferris assistant softball coach Dawn Thompson. "It's fun teaching them and they are very hard-working kids."

Best Of The Decade (2000): Softball

BIG RAPIDS - Under the direction of head coach Keri Becker, Ferris State University's softball program has ranked among the best at the NCAA Division II level.

As most coaches will say, however, it's impossible to have great teams without great players doing great things. Becker's early teams, those that competed during the late 1990s, achieved great things on the diamond. A few of those standout student-athletes continued to produce through the 2000 campaign.

It's difficult (if not impossible) to think of some of those great teams and not remember players like Anne Bentley, Nadine Crowl, Jody Gifford and others who took Ferris to the brink of an NCAA Division II National Championship in 1998, back to the national championships in 1999 and to a Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Tournament title in 2000 on its home diamond.

So, Ferris clearly has had no shortage of great players over the years.

One of the challenges of choosing this team is weighing the strong contributions of players who played most of their career in the 1990s, but competed one season in 2000. On one side, Ferris has had great competitors like Bentley and Crowl who were dominant players in the late 1990s and took the program to unprecedented heights on the regional and national scenes. On the other side, Ferris has had players such as Emily McLean (pictured) and Sarah Mueller, who enjoyed outstanding success, also was a part of a team that advanced to the national championship and played her entire career during the decade.

With that being written, my choice for captain of the Best of the Decade Softball Team is Emily McLean, who has a softball resume that doesn't have to play second fiddle to anyone else's credentials.

Here is the Best of the Decade (2000) Top Six:

Anne Bentley: One of the outstanding utility players to suit up in the crimson and gold for Ferris State University on the softball diamond. The Wyoming, Mich. native played all over the infield and was dependable at any position (whether it was shortstop, second base or first base). If needed, she probably could have pitched, too. Her hitting was solid throughout her career. More than anything, however, it might have been her will to win and drive to be successful that put her ahead of so many of her competitors on the diamond (or on the tennis court where she was one of the best to play for the Bulldogs at her spot in the tennis lineup). Back on the diamond, however, she capped a strong softball career by being named a third-team All-American in 2000. Anne batted .302 with five home runs and 25 runs batted in during the 2000 campaign.

Nadine Crowl: A workhorse of a player who not only got it done with a powerful bat, but also made it happen in the circle where the lefty was a dominant pitcher (particularly during that storybook 1998 season. Down to the end of her career, during the 2000 season that witnessed Ferris win the GLIAC Softball Tournament championship on their home field in Big Rapids, the Coleman native was a key component of that success. She wasn't the most vocal player who has ever suited up for the Bulldogs, but she led by example (a very good example). Throughout her career, she was the model of consistency and efficiency in her production for head Coach Becker. During her final season, in 2000, Nadine was named team MVP as she batted .286 40 hits an six multi-hit games. She tied for the team's lead with 29 RBI and scored 26 runs with 10 doubles, two home runs, a .400 slugging percentage and a .355 on-base percentage

Emily McLean (Captain): She capped her career by being named to the 2006 Louisville Slugger/National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) All-Great Lakes Region First Team. This was one year after being named the 2005 GLIAC Player of the Year. Emily was a third baseman who was converted into an outfielder to fill a need for the Bulldogs. In a lot of ways, she could have played in a number of different spots on the diamond and achieved a level of success defensively that would also include success at the plate as well - where she swings a strong bat. The native of Rogers City was first-team All-GLIAC two seasons in a row (2005-06). As a senior, Emily led her Bulldogs with a batting average of .399, a career-best 71 hits and team-best totals in hits, RBI (42), home runs (seven). That is just a small part of the resume for one of the best ever to play for the Bulldogs. She had a career batting average of .355 (that is second all time only to Gifford).

Katie Kraai: A player people once doubted could succeed as a college softball player ended her Ferris career as an all-time great (both as a leader and as a player). Katie came to Ferris and turned into the rock over at third base who got the job done at the hot corner with her glove. As a senior, Kraai was a 2008 All-GLIAC first-team pick as she batted a career single-season best .297 and posted 51 hits, 17 doubles, three home runs and 32 runs batted in. Beyond her play on the field, and her tremendous leadership qualities, Katie was a dedicated student who put the student in student-athlete. The Zeeland native was a three-time GLIAC All-Academic Team choice. By the time the final chapter was written on her career, Katie had become the career Ferris leader in doubles (49) and ranked well in several other categories among the all-time greats at FSU. She willed herself and her teammates to great things in softball.

Sarah Mueller: Near the end of the decade, Sarah proved to be the top player for the Bulldogs as an outstanding utility player who was a top-notch pitcher, a great hitter and a strong presence in the outfield. A native of Santa Clarita, Calif., her dedication to softball and her teammates was evidence as she fought through some painful physical issues near the end of her career to come back and try and will her team to success at the close of the 2009 campaign in the NCAA regional tournament. She could hit for power, she could hit for average, she could pitch, she could run ... she could flat out do it all. Multiple times she was named an All-GLIAC First-Team player for the Bulldogs as a the result of her all-around play for Ferris. She had a career batting average of .317, a career slugging percentage of .486, 108 runs scored, 40 doubles, nine triples and 106 hits. As a sophomore, she was named to the 2007 Daktronics, Inc. All-America Third Team.

Nicki Merchant: A highly-recruited player, the Wayland native became a strong infielder for the Bulldogs and an excellent hitter. She was a first-team All-GLIAC pick her senior season after being named a second-team all-conference performer as a junior. As a senior, she led Ferris in hits with a career-best total of 53. She also was tops on the team in runs scored (23), doubles (12), home runs (three) and RBI (25). She batted .340 as a senior. By the time the final chapter was written on great career in crimson and gold, Nicki ranked second among Ferris' career leaders in home runs (14). Coming from an amazing family of outstanding student-athletes, Nicki was fourth in doubles (36), sixth in hits (175), seventh in RBIs (83) and tied for 13th in batting average (.293). To this day, she continues to rank well among the best to ever play the game for Ferris in softball.

Honorable Mention

Jaymee Kent: Came to the Bulldogs from Grand Rapids Community College and immediate paid dividends as a great hitter and solid fielder...
Allison McKibbin: Very good catcher who didn't play long for the Bulldogs, but played well while she was in crimson and gold. Also a very good hitter...
Dana (Peuler) Conklin: Came out of the Grand Rapids area with good credentials and ended her career as a solid player, a great leader and a person of unmatched character...

Amanda Opbroek: Another player of second-to-none character, Opbroek was a strong pitcher and a solid hitter who was a quiet leader during her era...

Melissa Worsley: A strong catcher who helped solidify the Bulldogs' batter combination during her time and also a solid hitter and tremendous leader...

Navreet Gill: One of the better utility players ever to perform for the Bulldogs on the diamond. She was a strong hitter and remarkably consistent...

Laura Crower: A very solid first baseman who was a good hitter. A great student and leader who set a good example...

Amanda Jager: An excellent hitter who could hit for power, had good discipline at the plate and brought great personality to the team...

Krystle Bailey: A rock of stability as a catcher who was an iron woman with the work she did behind the plate game in and game out...

Holly Bruntjens: Another rock of consistency in the pitcher's circle who didn't overpower, but knew how to move the ball. Emerged as a strong hitter and solid outfielder, too...
Lindsay Riskovitch: A quietly efficient middle infielder who has offensive numbers that might surprise a lot of people.

New recruits, old faces returning create optimism

HOUSTON – A veteran group is expected to return next spring to the softball diamond for Ferris State University.

Ferris’ strong junior class is led by all-region players in first baseman Amanda Jager and pitcher/outfielder Sarah Mueller. In addition to Jager and Mueller, the Bulldogs’ veteran group includes 2008 NCAA Division II Great Lakes Region Tournament Most Valuable Player Holly Bruntjens, a pitcher; and catcher Krystle Bailey. That quartet leads an experienced group of players head coach Keri Becker is expected to lean on next spring.

In addition to the veterans, Ferris (which finished its season 35-18) boasts a solid recruiting class for 2009. Big Rapids High School star Makenzi Peterson, a talented and competitive local product who plays shortstop for the Cardinals; Rockford High School’s Stephanie Dusendang, who is a catcher and outfielder and has prepped for former Bulldog softball star Casey Munger-Dunham; Jenison’s Chelsea Morris, a talented first baseman, third baseman and outfielder from Jenison; and Frankfort’s Allison Webber, who plays third and short, comprise the four signees Becker has commitments from.

“I am very encouraged by our recruiting class,” said Becker, whose team had its 2008 spring season end at the hands of top-ranked Lock Haven by a 3-0 score in an elimination game at the 2008 NCAA Division II Softball National Championships at Memorial Park in Houston on Friday afternoon. “We already have four players who are signed and we could be adding maybe another walk-on or two depending on how some things work out. I think we’re going to have a nice mix of experienced players returning with some good new players coming in.

“The loss of (senior third baseman) Katie (Kraai) is going to mean some big shoes for us to fill,” added Becker. “But, I think we have some good players on our team and some quality players coming in who will compete to try and help us fill in those big shoes.”

Ferris' Sarah Mueller Named To 2008 Louisville Slugger/NFCA Division II All-Region Team

EDWARDSVILLE, Ill. – Ferris State University senior softball standout player Sarah Mueller earned some well-deserved post-season recognition from the National Fastpitch Coaches Association as part of the 2008 Louisville Slugger/NFCA Division II All-Region team.

Mueller, a junior pitcher and utility player, earned 2008 All-Great Lakes Region Second Team honors for her efforts on the diamond – for her combined body of work as a pitcher, outfielder and standout hitter. Mueller becomes the second Bulldog to receive all-region accolades as she joins junior first baseman Amanda Jager who was recognized as a second-team all-region pick by Daktronics earlier this week.

Mueller, who has elevated her play of late as a hitter especially, is coming off a 2007 campaign during which she was named an All-American. She entered the Lewis winner’s bracket game on Friday hitting .324 through 45 games with 47 hits, 10 doubles, six triples, three home runs and 29 runs batted in. As a pitcher, Mueller entered Friday 14-6 with a 2.06 earned run average and 56 strikeouts. In the 1-0 win in 15 innings, over Lewis at the NCAA Division II Regional Tournament in Edwardsville, Ill. Mueller, now 15-6, earned the victory as she threw all 15 innings, allowed six hits, one walk and struck out five.

Ferris gets one on Daktronics All-Region team

EDWARDSVILLE, Ill. – Ferris State is in the midst of another great season, built on a solid all-around team, and one member of that team was recognized on the 2008 Daktronics, Inc. All-Great Lakes Region Softball Team.

Junior first baseman Amanda Jager was the lone Bulldog to earn all-region recognition as she was a second-team selection. Jager has been a key part of the team’s success in her first full season at first base. She is batting a team-leading .373 this spring, entering Friday, with 47 hits, 13 doubles, seven home runs and 30 runs batted in. Jager’s power and consistency swinging the bat have helped the Bulldogs emerge as one of the better hitting squads around.

Disappointing was not seeing the Bulldogs get just one all-region selection considering 2007 All-American Sarah Mueller is in the midst of another stellar season hitting .324 with 47 hits, 10 doubles, six triples and three home runs with 29 RBIs. Also, sophomore second baseman Amanda Harrington is having a career year batting .341 with 45 hits, 12 doubles, two triples and two home runs with 18 RBIs.

But, then again, not every player can make this particular all-region team.

Among the familiar faces on the Daktronics all-region teams are Wayne State pitcher Molly Yetman (a first-team pick as a pitcher), Saginaw Valley State pitcher Stacy Kraatz (a second-team choice) and Grand Valley State players Elizabeth Smith and Kristin Moleski (both second-team all-region selections).

Yetman was the 2008 Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Pitcher of the Year and Kraatz was the 2008 GLIAC Player of the Year.

The team was picked by a vote of the region’s sports information directors. All first-team all-region choices advance to the national ballot which is scheduled to be released soon.

Ferris Battles To Win Over Mercyhurst

MIDLAND – It wasn’t pretty, but Ferris State University opened the 2008 Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Softball Tournament with a 3-1 victory over Mercyhurst at Currie Stadium in Emerson Park.

Sarah Mueller, a junior who played center field, finished with one hit in three trips to the plate and had two runs driven in. That was at the top of the order, Where the Lakers may have really been hurt was at the bottom of Ferris’ lineup where redshirt freshman Rachel Wade, batting eighth, and junior pitcher Holly Bruntjens, batting ninth, inflicted some of the damage. Wade batted 2-for-3 with a run scored and one driven in while Bruntjens had two hits in three trips with a run scored.

Junior first baseman Amanda Jager had two hits in two trips to the plate with a run scored and a walk.

“I think we had a little too much tension out there on the field and we definitely are going to need to loosen up a little and get back to playing our game,” said Ferris head coach Keri Becker, who was named the 2008 “Michael J. Corbett” GLIAC Coach of the Year. “We know we’re going to need to play better and we’re going to need to score some more runs as we go through this tournament.”

In the circle, Holly Bruntjens was her usual steady self as she tossed seven innings, allowed five hits, one run (earned), walked none and struck out four. The Bulldogs committed a couple of errors, but they were able to overcome those miscues by playing overall steady from start to finish in the contest. It wasn’t the prettiest victory, but a win is a win.

In spite of the win, Becker knows her team has to play better in its next game on Friday, scheduled to be against a Saginaw Valley State team that has been near the top of the conference standings all season.

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 7: Early spring schedule is rich with opportunities for Bulldogs

KISSIMMEE, Fla. – Once again, the wire-to-wire race for the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference softball championship is shaping up as a hard-fought one.

If nothing else, the annual Rebel Spring Games has been an opportunity for Ferris State University to take an early peek at the competition in the GLIAC this spring. While there is, of course, snow and chilly weather in the upper Midwest that will wreak the usual havoc on the early portion of the season, that has not prevented the usual travel to Florida to sneak in some of those early games prior to the start of the league schedule. After a hot start this spring, Ferris has stumbled through some rough times with losses in six of their last seven games. The latest setbacks have come at the hands of regional rival Wisconsin-Parkside (5-2) and Central Missouri (3-0), both on Friday, at Fortune Road Complex during the Rebel Spring Games.

In spite of the current hard times, Ferris expects to figure prominently in the mix this season for a GLIAC championship – and hopefully more. The Bulldogs are confident the talent on their current 14-player roster will pay dividends by the time everything is said, done and written. Ferris has been working to plug players into different positions with, for example, Amanda Jager now playing regularly at first base along with some mixing and matching in the outfield with Holly Bruntjens, Sarah Mueller, Colleen Roney, Rachel Wade and Lynsay Weaver among others in that group. One of the issues for the Bulldogs will be to maintain focus from start to finish this spring and begin to realize the potential that is clearly evident.

The GLIAC already is looking up for grabs this season as the Bulldogs already have had a chance to watch a number of rival teams they will see upon their return to Michigan. Saginaw Valley State suddenly is nationally ranked and playing with confidence under a first-year head coach. Grand Valley State remains strong with some capable hitters at the top of its lineup while Wayne State and Ashland are likely to figure prominently in the league, region and national pictures. Northwood is going to be a solid as will Gannon and others. The bottom line in the GLIAC remains pretty simple: No easy days no matter who you play in a league with so many talented and well-coached softball teams.

In addition to the league games, the Bulldogs also have to be conscious of their regional foes as well. Already in Florida, the Bulldogs have begun to make their case for regional rankings with some solid efforts against some in-region opponents (including wins over Southern Indiana, St. Joseph’s and Northern Kentucky). But, three of the team’s losses have been to regional opponents (a painfully-frustrating one-run, extra-inning loss to defending NCAA Division II national champion Southern Illinois-Edwardsville, one to Indianapolis and the latest on Friday to Wisconsin-Parkside).

Ferris has its work cut out for it this spring.

So, whether it’s a regional opponent or a conference opponent – anticipate some big-time competition.

SPRING 2008 BLOG 5: Another Important Day Begins With A Fresh Start For The Bulldogs

KISSIMMEE, Fla. – Facing Southern Illinois-Edwardsville, the defending NCAA Division II national softball champion is tough enough, but facing the Cougars on a three-game losing streak is even tougher.

Still, that was precisely the position the Bulldogs found themselves in as they took the field at Fortune Road Complex in Kissimmee, Fla. as part of their schedule at the Rebel Spring Games. That was just to start a pivotal day of softball, however, as the Bulldogs then had to face the challenge of Southern Indiana. Then, on top of all that, Ferris came face to face with the realization SIUE and USI are regional opponents in games that could – ironically enough as it is still March – loom large at the end of the season when regional bids are awarded in May.

The challenge for the Bulldogs was to rediscover a higher energy level, remember that softball is fun, and clean up those little mistakes that appear large in the middle of a big game. It was evident – fairly early in the morning game against Southern Illinois-Edwardsville – the Bulldogs were closer to playing their brand of softball – well ahead of their performances the day before in a tripleheader that featured a heartbreaking loss to American International followed by decisive losses to C.W. Post and regional rival Indianapolis.

Thursday, the Bulldogs also had to face SIUE’s top pitcher Kaitlin Colosimo – a thrower they and a lot of other opponents have had a tough time with over the years. Colosimo pitched eight innings, allowed 10 hits, four runs (one earned run), walked one and struck out six. She had a solid effort as she did her best to bend – with those 10 hits and four runs allowed – without totally breaking. Colosimo was mostly matched, however, by Ferris’ Sarah Mueller, a junior pitcher, who allowed eight hits and four runs (only one earned) in eight innings with six strikeouts.

Ferris trailed 3-1 entering the seventh inning when a 2-run single by Amanda Jager knotted the score at 3-3 on the scoreboard and ultimately forced extra innings. It was one of those clutch hits the Bulldogs have desperately sought in key situations during several games so far this spring.

In the eighth, with International Tiebreaker rules in effect, SIUE picked up one run on an RBI triple to left field and another on a sacrifice fly to right to grab a 5-3 lead.

Junior Holly Bruntjens singled in a run for the Bulldogs, but that was all the offense Ferris could muster – in the eighth – as SIUE shut the door and held on for the 1-run win.

In the day’s second contest, those key hits finally came around as the Bulldogs grabbed a rare early lead going up 3-0 on Southern Indiana – right off the bat – in the first inning. Third-year catcher Krystle Bailey singled and doubled, senior third baseman Katie Kraai drove in a run on a fielder’s choice and then one more on a single. Junior first baseman Amanda Jager was credited with an RBI on a single.

The loss to USI could be a confidence builder for Ferris as the Bulldogs proved to themselves that they could come through in big games.

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.

SPRING 2008 BLOG 2: ‘Just a matter of time’ before Ferris’ offense comes to life

KISSIMMEE, Fla. – Its understandable if first baseman Amanda Jager and her teammates felt a little concerned as their offense sputtered a bit during their first day of competition at the Rebel Spring Games inside of the Osceola County Softball Complex.

For the first six innings of their opening game, the Bulldogs struggled to do much of anything against St. Joseph’s (Ind.) starting pitcher Sara Somogyi. There was, however, no panic button pressed. Then, at practically the proverbial 11th hour, Ferris’ offense finally came to life – albeit aided by fielding miscues from the regional rival Pumas. Ferris’ hitting confidence returned and soared and the rest was – as some people like to say – history. The Bulldogs escaped with a 4-3 nine-inning big regional win, over St. Joseph’s, and ended the day in style with another important victory against a regional foe – a stunningly-easy 10-2 triumph over Northern Kentucky in just five innings.

“It did take us a while to get our bats going (Saturday), but then again we were also facing a good pitcher (Somogyi) and that had something to do with it,” said Jager, who has moved over to first base this spring to take over for Laura Crower, who had become a mainstay for the Bulldogs at that corner. “Then, after struggling to hit the ball in the first game … we really got it going in the second game.”

That was indeed the case as the Bulldogs confidence soared in its second game of the day – against a Northern Kentucky team that, perennially, has ranked among the best teams in the region and in the nation. The Bulldogs rolled to a decisive rout of the Norse, in just five innings due to the mercy rule, to begin the spring 2-0. While Florida has been a place where the offense has struggled to get going early, over the years, Saturday’s nightcap was the perfect ending to the first day of competition on the diamond for Ferris.

With the GLIAC shaping up to be one tough doubleheader after another, the Bulldogs now understand they must have their “A+” game from start to finish to match last year’s achievements (reaching the NCAA Division II Tournament) or perhaps go even beyond that. That “A+” game looked good on Saturday against NKU. In the circle, steady junior pitcher Holly Bruntjens’ patented drop ball was practically unhittable as she ended up with seven strikeouts and kept the Norse off balance from start to finish while she was out there.

At the plate, Ferris was at least as impressive swinging the bat with 10 runs on 12 hits, three players with more than one hit. On top of that, the Bulldogs got help from one of their rookies as freshman outfielder Lynsay Weaver belted a 2-run homer to fire up her teammates a little more. Junior catcher Krystle Bailey, senior third baseman Katie Kraai and junior shortstop McKenzie West all had at least two hits – including Bailey’s 3-for-3 effort with the bat.

“It felt amazing when we finally got it going against Northern Kentucky,” Jager said as she finished 1-for-2 with two runs scored in the win over NKU after she scored the winning run in the day's opening win over St. Joseph's. “We have good pitchers and going against them everyday in practice has been making us better and giving us even more confidence. We felt like, even though we struggled in the first game, that it was only a matter of time before we adjusted to what was happening and really started to hit the ball the way we know that we can hit it.”

Hopefully, for the young Bulldogs, it’s just a sign of more good times to come.