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 Vasovski Earns All-Area Recognition

Coming off a solid 2010 spring campaign, Ferris State University and head softball coach Keri Becker hoped to build off the promise of the most recent season.

With a solid recruiting class, one that includes catcher Bianca Vasovski, of Farmington Hills Harrison High School, Ferris has high hopes.

In spite of its youth, the Bulldogs were one of the surprising teams of the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference. This year, Ferris hopes to not be one of the surprise teams, but to use its experiences from last year to be a wire-to-wire contender in the GLIAC.

Recently, the future Bulldog earned all-area honors from a local publication in her Detroit-area community. Here is a capsule on Vasovski:

Bianca Vasovski, Sr. C, Harrison: Vasovski was a four-year starter for the Hawks, moving from shortstop to catcher this year to fill a need at that position. She batted .410 with 45 hits, which included 14 doubles and five home runs. She drove in 35 runs and scored 26. Vasovski had a .673 slugging percentage and graded .933 on her fielding.

“Bianca is by far the best athlete I have had the privilege of coaching,” coach Kristen Zabalavicius said. “Her hard work and love of the game make her enjoyable to be around and a model to her teammates. I know Bianca will make a very positive impact on the Ferris State softball program next year and will surely be missed by her Hawk softball family. I am very excited for her!”

For the full listing and the complete story, visit here.

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 Recruit Vasovski Showcases Her Hitting Potential

Bianca Vasovski, a prep standout for Farmington Hills Harrison High School in the Detroit area, is a future Ferris State softball player who sounds legit on the diamond.

Vasovski, joining the Bulldogs after being recruited by Ferris head coach Keri Becker's staff at Ferris, had a great finish to her prep career.

Here is an excerpt from a story published by Hometownlife.com:

Vasovski hit a grand slam in the first game of a doubleheader win over Ann Arbor Huron Wednesday, 14-3.

“It was Senior Night and we took some time to honor Bianca,” Harrison coach Kristen Zabalavicius said. “She actually honored herself with the grand slam home run. That was pretty cool!”

Vasovski, who has accepted a scholarship offer from Ferris State University, has been a four-year starter for the Hawks.

The Bulldogs will be looking forward to her suiting up and swinging that productive bat for Ferris in the years to come. Vasovski joins a solid returning nucleus for the Bulldogs, a group that includes a strong 2010 freshman class and a good recruiting class for 2011.

Ferris Recruit Vasovski Adjusts To New Position To Help Farmington Hills Harrison

HARRISON- Ferris State University softball recruit Bianca Vasovski is showing her versatility as a player these days for Harrison High School.

Vasovski, a player from Farmington Hills Harrison High School Ferris head coach Keri Becker is high on as part of her recruiting class for the 2010-11 season, is being utilized as a catcher as she has shifted over from perhaps her more natural shortstop position.

Here is an excerpt from a Hometownlife.com story:

Harrison’s best player is senior Bianca Vasovski, who has signed with NCAA Division II Ferris State University of the Great Lakes Conference.

Vasovski, who batted .352 with two home runs and 15 RBI, had been the shortstop, but (Coach Kristen) Zabalavicius moved her to catcher to help the team’s young pitchers.

Her numbers are pretty solid and right in line with what a coach recruiting a college-level student-athlete might expect to see (as far as trying to judge how it will translate to the Division II level).