Flores, Stevenson, Wade And Peterson All Honored By GLIAC

MIDLAND - Ferris State University had two players earn second-team All-Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Softball team honors while two others earned honorable mention recognition.

Designated player Rhea Flores and pitcher Kayle Stevenson, both seniors, were named to the GLIAC Softball All-Conference Second Team in an announcement made over the weekend by the officials of the league. On the honorable mention listing, senior outfielder Rachel Wade was honored as was sophomore third baseman Makenzi Peterson.

Flores, a 2009 second-team All-GLIAC selection, has enjoyed a solid senior season batting .299 while leading being tied for team-best honors with 38 hits. The Dearborn Heights native who prepped at Southgate Anderson High School also pitched for head coach Keri Becker's squad and had some solid outings in the circle as both a reliever and as a starter during the 2010 campaign. Flores was 6-0 as a pitcher with two saves to her credit.

Stevenson, a left-handed pitcher, is 12-6 this season with a 1.98 earned run average in 20 appearances in the circle for the Bulldogs. The native of Holland, who prepped at West Ottawa High School, was a steady force as a pitcher for the Bulldogs with an unflappable demeanor with the ball in her hands.

Peterson, in just her second year, had a banner campaign as she posted career single-season bests in batting average (.343), hits (36), doubles (nine), RBI (20), slugging percentage (.505), and on-base percentage (.395) for the Big Rapids native while playing steady defense at third base.

2010 All-GLIAC Softball Teams and Postseason Awards
Player of the Year: Alison Allen - WSU / Pitcher of the Year: Casey Hanes - WSU
Freshman of the Year: Katie Martin - GVSU
“Michael J. Corbett” GLIAC Coach of the Year: Sheilah Gulas – AU
GLIAC Softball All-Conference First Team
Pos.	Name	School	Year	Hometown/Previous School
1B	Becca Ryan	Wayne State	So.	Westland, Mich./Dearborn Divine Child
2B	Carrie Hosier	Ashland	Sr.	Decatur, Ala.
SS	Jaci Banton	Wayne State	Sr.	Richmond Hill, Ontario/Cardinal Carter
3B	Michelle Boscola	Northwood	Sr.	Broomfield, Colo./Legacy
C	Brittany Omelanchuk	Wayne State	Fr.	Brooklin, Ont./Wilson S.S.
OF	Alison Allen	Wayne State	So.	Redford, Mich./Farmington Hills Mercy
OF	Erica Miller	Ashland	Jr.	Indianapolis, Ind./Franklin Central
OF	Devon Trimmer	Hillsdale	Sr.	Baltimore, Ohio
DP	Jessica McKeith	Saginaw Valley State	Jr.	River Rouge, Mich.
UT	Megan Eddy	Northwood	Jr.	Merrill, Mich.
UT	Logan Hursey	Ashland	Jr.	Zanesville, Ohio/John Glenn
P	Emlyn Knerem	Ashland	So.	Brunswick, Ohio
P	Casey Hanes	Wayne State	Sr.	Richmond, Va./Douglas Freeman
GLIAC Softball All-Conference Second Team
Pos.	Name	School	Year	Hometown/Previous School
1B	Breanne Kronberg	Grand Valley State	Sr.	Orland Park, Ill.
2B	Kayleigh Bertram	Grand Valley State	Fr.	Lockport, Ill.
SS	Megan Baird	Tiffin	So.	Ajax, Ont./J. Clarke Richardson
3B	Amanda Temple	Tiffin	So.	Toledo, Ohio/Whitmer
C	Tawna Garver	Ashland	Fr.	Mansfield, Ohio/Hillsdale
OF	Katie Ammons	Findlay	Sr.	Findlay, Ohio
OF	Angela Kaiser	Saginaw Valley State	Sr.	Waterford, Mich./Our Lady of the Lakes
OF	Nellie Kosola	Grand Valley State	Fr.	Frankfort, Ill.
DP	Rhea Flores	Ferris State	Sr.	Dearborn Heights, Mich./Southgate Anderson
UT	Lauren Memmer	Saginaw Valley State	So.	White Lake, Mich./Lakeland
UT	Delaney Talmage	Tiffin	Jr.	Millbury, Ohio
P	Alexa Gehrls	Saginaw Valley State	Fr.	Caledonia, Mich.
P	Kayle Stevenson	Ferris State	Sr.	Holland, Mich./West Ottawa
GLIAC Softball All-Conference Honorable Mention Team
Pos.	Name	School	Year	Hometown/Previous School
DP	Samantha Hendrix	Ashland	Sr.	Rogersvlle, Ala./Madison Academy
3B	Alyssa Kelley	Ashland	So.	Mentor, Ohio
1B	Calli Coppus	Findlay	Jr.	Tififin, Ohio/Mohawk
OF	Jaci Messmer	Findlay	Jr.	Forest, Ohio/Hardin Northern
3B	Makenzi Peterson	Ferris State	So.	Big Rapids, Mich.
OF	Rachel Wade	Ferris State	Sr.	Canton, Mich.
3B	Katie Martin	Grand Valley State	Fr.	Ann Arbor, Mich./Pioneer
C	Carli Raisutis	Grand Valley State	So.	Palos Heights, Ill./Stagg
3B	Jessica Guertin	Hillsdale	So.	Lancaster, Calif./Desert Christian
1B	Jennifer Berlet	Hillsdale	So.	Walton, Ind./Lewis Cass
1B	Lorrie Chaperon	Lake Superior State	Sr.	Howell, Mich.
OF	Nicole Carstensen	Lake Superior State	Jr.	Maple Grove, Minn.
C	Marissa Borkowski	Northwood	Fr.	Sterling Heights, Mich./Stevenson
P/1B	Jessica Wojcik	Northwood	Sr.	Highland, Mich./Milford
OF	Billi Hoeppner	Saginaw Valley State	Sr.	Hemlock, Mich.
P	Kari Bowlby	Saginaw Valley State	Sr.	Elkhart, Ind./Central
UTL	Tiffany Smith	Tiffin	Jr.	Newark, Ohio
2B	Lauren Mazzuca	Tiffin	So.	Hamilton, Ontario
OF	Stephanie LeClair	Wayne State	Sr.	Kitchener, Ont./Forest Heights C.I.
3B	Rebecca Stanley	Wayne State	So.	Waterloo, Ont.

Graphic: Ferris State University Athletics Communications

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 Drops 2-1 Decision To Northwood

BIG RAPIDS - Playing against Northwood University, and its ace pitcher Megan Eddy, is fast becoming a pain for Ferris State University's softball team.

The Bulldogs spotted the Timberwolves two runs in the bottom of the first inning and Northwood never trailed en route to a 2-1 Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference victory on Wednesday afternoon at the FSU Softball Field in Big Rapids. Wednesday's loss spoiled a solid pitching performance by freshman Dana Bowler who held Northwood to just two hits and the two runs (one earned) while she struck out nine.

Northwood center fielder Jamie Swick drew a walk and the next batter, Tiffany Melgoza, belted an RBI double to put the Timberwolves up 1-0. A throwing error led to another run as Melgoza scored for a 2-0 edge.

Ferris finally put some offense on the scoreboard in the bottom of the sixth inning as senior center fielder Rachel Wade drove in the team's lone run (junior Colleen Roney scored after she had tripled) on a single. The offense ultimately stalled as Ferris stranded two runners on base after sophomore third baseman Makenzi Peterson flew out to center.

The Bulldogs mustered a couple of hits (a line shot from senior designated player Rhea Flores and a single up the middle from junior catcher Rachel Mueller), but could not score anyone as Eddy held them off in the bottom of the seventh to help NU secure the win.

The loss as a tough one for Ferris which needs to put together some wins coming down the stretch of this season against some tough competition.

To close the regular season, Ferris has the following schedule:

Apr. 24	at Saginaw Valley State *		1:00 PM	Live stats
	at Saginaw Valley State *		3:00 PM	Live stats
Apr. 25	at Wayne State *		12:00 PM
	at Wayne State *		2:00 PM
Apr. 27	at Northwood *		3:00 PM
	at Northwood *		5:30 PM
May. 1	at Grand Valley State *		2:00 PM	Live stats
	at Grand Valley State *		4:00 PM	Live stats

Again, this is a tough schedule to end the season as all of these opponents represent quality. These are all teams in the regional picture Saginaw Valley State, Wayne State and Northwood) or battling to get in the regional picture (Grand Valley State).

The bad news is the schedule is tough to end the season, but the good news is that the schedule is tough to end the season.

These games represent opportunity for Ferris to prove themselves and make their case to be one of the better teams in the region by knocking off quality opponents.

Photo caption:

Ferris State softball coach Keri Becker (left) gives signs to a batter while player Colleen Roney stands on third base during Wednesday's Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference softball game at the FSU Softball Field against Northwood. (Photo/Sandy Gholston)

Ferris softball team survives trip to Sault Ste. Marie

SAULT STE. MARIE - Lake Superior State University is home to a softball team that doesn't have the great record, but has enough talent to put a scare in opponents.

In four games against Lake Superior this spring, Ferris State University has gotten a couple of scares, but still has emerged 4-0 against the Lakers (a perfect record that was nothing short of essential as the Bulldogs seek to stay in the hunt for the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference title and for positioning relative to GLIAC Tournament seeding and NCAA Division II Tournament seeding. But, those two are well down the line for Ferris.

Monday, the Bulldogs went to the Soo and defeated the Lakers 9-0 in the first game and 6-5 in game two to pull off the sweep as Ferris improves to 20-13 overall and 11-6 in GLIAC

action, On April 4, Ferris swept LSSU 7-0 and 6-5.

In Monday's 9-0 win, Ferris showed its depth as freshman catcher Liz Hamming played and showed a good stick as she batted 2-for-2 with two RBI and a double. Sophomore outfielder Stephanie Dusendang was 2-for-2 with two runs scored. For all the numbers from the game, check the box score, here.

In Monday's second game, sophomore Makenzi Peterson, senior Rhea Flores and sophomore Chelsea Morris each had two hits. Morris had two RBI. Junior shortstop Lynsay Weaver batted 1-for-2 with two runs driven in. For more numbers from game two, visit the FSU Web site for the box score, here.

Wednesday, the Bulldogs host Northwood University in a one-game set to make up for a game earlier this season that was rained out in Big Rapids. The Bulldogs and Timberwolves take the diamond at 3:30 p.m. at Ferris. It's a big game for Ferris as Northwood is playing very well this season and, as of now, is one of the better teams in the GLIAC.

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.

Bulldogs Pick Up Four Important Wins Over Weekend

BIG RAPIDS - In the simplest of terms, Ferris State University needed three to four wins this past weekend to stay in the race for the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference championship ... and a whole bunch of other stuff.

The Bulldogs got the four wins in four tries they needed as they swept Findlay on Saturday and then returned to Michigan to sweep Hillsdale on Sunday. Saturday, Ferris rolled to wins of 10-1 and 5-4 against the Oilers. Sunday, looking to finish off the weekend in an impressive fashion, the Bulldogs showed no signs of a slow down as they picked up victories of 10-2 and 5-1 against the host Chargers.

Head coach Keri Becker's squad found its hitting confidence and the numbers indicate that it was as contagious as ever.

Ferris 10, Findlay 1

In the first game, against Findlay, sophomore Makenzi Peterson was 3-for-4 at the plate with a home run, three runs scored and three runs driven in. Rhea Flores, a senior, also was 3-for-4 at the dish with three runs driven in and a run scored. Sophomore Chelsea Morris also was 2-for-3 as another player with multiple hits in that win. Freshman Dana Bowler was the winning pitcher as she struck out six and improved to 4-4 this season.

Ferris 5, Findlay 4

Morris, Flores and Colleen Roney all were 2-for-3 with a run driven in as Ferris scored twice in the fifth and once in the bottom of the sixth to come from behind and steal a win over the host Oilers. Flores was the winning pitcher as she came on in relief and got the job done in the circle against Findlay.

Ferris 10, Hillsdale 2

Bowler picked up the win as she threw all five innings and struck out five Chargers to earn her fifth win of the campaign. Amanda Harrington, a senior, was 2-for-2 with two runs scored and five runs driven in (she also had a home run). Peterson had a three-run homer for the Bulldogs as she continued to play long ball over the weekend.

Ferris 5, Hillsdale 1

Kayle Stevenson was brilliant pitching against her former team. She threw all seven innings, allowed one hit, one run (unearned) and struck out nine. Morgan Kramerich, a freshman outfielder, was 3-for-3 with a run scored and one driven in. Senior Rachel Wade was 2-for-3 with a run scored and a run driven in while Rachel Mueller, a junior, was 2-for-3 with a home, a run scored and two RBI.

The Bulldogs, now 15-10 overall and 6-3 in the conference, have a big test coming up this week as they host rival Grand Valley State on Wednesday at 3:30 p.m. in a GLIAC doubleheader at the FSU Softball Field.

Northwood 5, Ferris State 0

BIG RAPIDS - Before the first pitch was thrown, on Saturday, the weather forecast and the sky both looked ominous.

Ferris State University and Northwood University started their Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference softball doubleheader a little early, but still was unable to squeeze in a full doubleheader Saturday afternoon at the FSU Softball Field in Big Rapids. The Bulldogs and the Timberwolves battled the rain and finished the first contest, won 5-0 by Northwood. In spite of valiant efforts to rehabilitate the field, the teams were unable to even start the second game (which eventually was called off due to rain).

The Bulldogs again struggled to hit the ball as they managed just three hits against Northwood pitching. Megan Eddy got the win for the Timberwolves as she threw all seven innings, allowed the three hits, walked two and struck out five on Saturday. First baseman Chelsea Morris, third baseman Makenzi Peterson and right fielder Colleen Roney each had a hit for the Bulldogs, who struggled to solve Eddy.

In many ways, the game resembled what happened to the Bulldogs against Saginaw Valley State University. Against Northwood, several players hit the ball very hard, but right at people (to be recorded as outs). Saturday's loss dropped Ferris to 11-10 overall and 2-3 in GLIAC competition as it prepared to go on the road early next week.

For the Bulldogs, Kayle Stevenson took the loss as she dropped to 4-5 on the season. Stevenson pitched seven innings, allowed four hits, five runs (four earned), issued five walks and struck out seven. Northwood got off to a good start in the first inning by drawing two walks, playing good small ball and then getting a big hit (a three-RBI double from third baseman Michelle Boscola) when it was needed to post three runs in the top of the first inning.

Ferris will not have to wait long to face Northwood again. The teams play in a doubleheader on Tuesday in Midland at NU's Fisher Stadium. Game one begins at 3:30 p.m. while the second contest will begin at about 5:30 p.m.

Photo by Sandy Gholston

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

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.”