Bulldogs Claim 3-1 Decision Over Southwest Minnesota State For Fifth Win In A Row

Bulldogs Claim 3-1 Decision Over Southwest Minnesota State For Fifth Win In A Row

A two-run scoring fourth-inning single by Ferris State University's Makenzi Peterson (Big Rapids) represented the game-winning hit as the Bulldog softball team won for the fifth time in a row by topping Southwest Minnesota State, 3-1, in Monday's (March 8) action at the Florida Rebel Spring Games Tournament in Kissimmee, Fla.

The Bulldogs stretched their current winning streak to five games as a result of timely hitting and solid pitching.  FSU, which sports a 5-1 mark during its current tournament play in the Sunshine State, improves its overall record this spring to 7-5.

Ferris State erased a 1-0 Southwest Minnesota State lead after the Mustangs had tallied their lone run of the game in the bottom of the first inning on a RBI single off senior pitcher Rhea Flores (Dearborn Heights/Southgate Anderson).  The Bulldogs erupted for a pair of runs on one hit and the aid of a SMSU error in the top of the fourth to claim a 2-1 advantage.  The key hit in the frame was a two-RBI single to center field off the bat of sophomore shortstop Makenzi Peterson, which scored Flores and sophomore first baseman Chelsea Morris (Jenison), who had walked and reached base on an error, respectively. 

FSU upped its one-run lead in the top of the sixth thanks to a RBI single by Chelsea Morris.  Freshman Delaney Eubank (Frankfort) scored on the base hit after entering the contest as a pinch-running substitute for junior catcher Rachel Mueller (Santa Clarita, Calif./Valencia), who had doubled to right field in leading off the frame.  

In the pitching circle, Rhea Flores earned her third win of the season with a complete-game effort as she struck out two SMSU batters and walked one while allowing five hits.

Ferris State will take a day off on Tuesday (March 9) before returning to the diamond Wednesday (March 10) for a pair of non-league encounters.  The Bulldogs go up against Shippensburg (Pa.) in an 11 a.m. (EST) contest before taking on nationally-ranked California (Pa.) at 3 p.m. (EST).  Both games will be held at the Oren Brown Park in Kissimmee.