Bulldogs Add Carlson, A Transfer From Albion College

Ferris State University softball head coach Keri Becker has added the duties of interim athletics director to her plate, since the retirement of Tom Kirinovic, but that has not stopped her pursuit of top-notch student-athletes to strengthen her program.

Becker promised that the added duties would have no adverse impact and that has proven the case as she has recently announced the addition of Emily Carlson, who is transferring to Ferris after playing for Albion College, where she played one season. Carlson, a native of Wixom who prepped at Walled Lake Western High School, will have three years of eligibility remaining as she arrives at Ferris to continue her college playing career.

"Emily is a pitcher who plays first base as well," Becker said of the 5-foot-7 Carlson. "She's a seasoned player who will provide quality depth to our team."

As a player for Albion, Carlson batted for a .205 average with nine hits during the 2010 spring season through 15 games. She started all 15 of her games for the Britons. As a pitcher, she was 6-11 with a 3.95 earned run average and 90 strikeouts to lead the team. Carlson was named to the 2009-10 Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association Academic Honor Roll and was a Dean's List student in the 2009 fall and 2010 spring semesters.

She arrived at Albion with a solid resume to her credit. She was a two-time (2008-09) team Most Valuable Player and a 2009 state finalist for Miss Softball Pitcher.

As a prep senior, Carlson finished 12-11 record with a 2.00 earned run average in 140 innings. She totaled five shutouts and 174 strikeouts as she started in 23 of 31 appearances. She also got it done at the plate as she batted .313 hitting average with 26 hits in 83 at bats. She added five doubles, three triples, a home run and 14 RBI.

Carlson fits the mold of the kind of versatile players Becker has typically recruited - kids who are capable of playing multiple positions on the diamond.

The newest Bulldog joins a good-sized class Becker will welcome to Ferris, a group that includes: Bianca Vasovski, of Farmington Hills; Emily "Alex" Wittman, of St. Joseph; Amy Dunleavy, of Canton; and Cara DeLange, of Plainfield, Ill.

Ferris Recruit Dunleavy Earns All-Area Honor

Ferris State University head softball coach Keri Becker has been working hard to strengthen her program over the years.

Last year, the young Bulldogs surprised some teams and started to peak near the end of the season. Next year, the spring 2011, the Bulldogs hope to take a big step with quality young talent returning and some talented newcomers donning the crimson and gold.

One of those coveted newcomers is pitcher Amy Dunleavy, who finished her senior season at Canton and comes to the Bulldogs highly touted for her skills in the circle.

Recently, she earned all-area honors from a local publication in her Detroit-area community. Here is a capsule on Dunleavy:

Amy Dunleavy, Sr. P, Canton:The dedicated, talented Dunleavy did it all again in 2010 for the Chiefs, earning team MVP honors after finishing with a 16-5 record, 1.40 ERA and 186 strikeouts while walking just 17. She provided potent offense, too, with a .451 batting average and .634 slugging percentage.

For her efforts, the National Honor Society member and scholar athlete collected All-District, All-Conference and All-Region honors.

“She worked hard her whole high school career and all the hard work and extra effort she put in has paid off,” said Canton head coach Jim Arnold. “She's had a great career (54 victories) and earned herself a scholarship to Ferris State.”

For the full listing of that all-area team, check out the article here.

Ferris Adds Two Pitchers To Roster For Next Season In Dunleavy And DeLange

BIG RAPIDS - Part of the cornerstone of success in college softball revolves around having great pitching (and great defense).

Ferris State University, looking to the future, has signed a couple of players who will get the ball from head coach Keri Becker in the years to come. Becker has announced the signings of Amy Dunleavy, a native of Canton in the Detroit area, and Cara DeLange, who comes to Big Rapids from Plainfield, Ill. The signings help Coach Becker strengthen and add depth to her pitching staff as she traditionally likes to have a number of pitchers she can go to on her roster. Dunleavy and DeLange will kick off their Ferris careers with Fall Ball action when they arrive on campus in the fall of 2010.

"Both Amy and Cara will keep Bulldog pitching strong for the next four years and maintain the great competitive tradition of Ferris State Softball," said Becker, is in her 13th season in the dugout for the Bulldogs and is the program's all-time winningest coach.

Becker also added that she thinks Dunleavy and DeLange can help Ferris have one of the best pitching staffs in the GLIAC in time. Traditionally, Ferris has sought to bring pitchers in and mold them over a year or so until they become strong GLIAC-level pitchers. Time will tell if that pattern holds true or if either of these two pitchers (or both) come in ready to deliver the goods right away. One thing is for sure: Coach Becker has a lot of confidence in her two new pitchers of the future.

For the full press release: http://www.ferrisstatebulldogs.com/sports/sball/2009-10/releases/2010recruits1