Bulldogs Drop Close One In Florida Tourney Opener

A two-run first inning by Gannon was the difference as the Ferris State softball team dropped a 2-1 non-conference decision this Saturday (March 6) in the Bulldogs' Florida Rebel Spring Games Tournament opener at the Osceola Sports Complex in Kissimmee, Fla.

The loss snaps Ferris' two-game winning streak as the Bulldogs fall to 2-5 this spring to date.

Ferris State scored its lone run of the contest in the top of the first inning when senior designated player Rhea Flores (Dearborn Heights/Southgate Anderson) singled to plate senior center fielder Rachel Wade (Canton), who reached base on a one-out single to right field.  Wade would score from second base on Flores' hit after advancing to the base on a passed ball. 

Gannon (6-5 overall) would erased the two-run deficit in the bottom of the frame with a pair of runs on only one hit.  The game-winning hit was delivered by third baseman Ashley Petrone, who drilled an offering by senior pitcher Kayle Stevenson (Holland/West Ottawa) over the center field fence with two outs in the inning.

Both pitchers in the game, Stevenson for Ferris and Gannon's Kelsey Brickman managed to keep their opponent off the scoreboard for the remainder as the pair both recorded complete-game performances.  Stevenson allowed only a pair of hits while fanning five and walking three in six innings.  Brickman gave up three FSU hits and struck out eight Bulldogs in throwing all seven innings.  

Rachel Wade led the Bulldogs in batting with a pair of singles, one in the first and the second coming in the top of the third inning.