Northwood Blanks Ferris State, 5-0 In Saturday Softball Action
The Ferris State University softball team continued its struggles offensively as the Bulldogs could only muster three base hits en route to a 5-0 loss to Northwood this Saturday (April 3) afternoon in the opening of a scheduled Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) doubleheader at the FSU Softball Field in Big Rapids, Mich.
The Bulldogs had their two-game winning streak snapped with the loss and are now 11-10 overall and 2-3 in the GLIAC this season. The second game between the two teams was postponed due to rain and wet field conditions. A makeup date for the nightcap will be held but has yet to be determined.
Northwood didn't waste any time in taking an early lead, squeezing three runs across in the opening inning. The Timberwolves loaded the bases with two outs against FSU senior pitcher Kayle Stevenson (Holland/West Ottawa) in the frame before Michelle Boscola belted a shot down the left field line to give the visitors a 3-0 lead. Northwood increased its margin to 4-0 in the top of the fourth on a RBI groundout by Tiffany Melgoza, which scored Boscola from third base. Boscola smacked the ball to the left field fence for a double and then moved over to third base as a result of a successful steal attempt.
Ferris threatened to score in the bottom of the sixth inning following a leadoff single and a walk, but Northwood pitcher Megan Eddy was able to record three consecutive outs.
In the seventh inning, the Timberwolves bumped their lead to 5-0 as batter Marissa Borkowski was hit by a Kayle Stevenson offering with the bases loaded.
The bats for Ferris State were silenced by Eddy until the bottom of the fifth inning when sophomore third baseman Makenzi Peterson (Big Rapids) singled to right center field for the Bulldogs' initial base hit. FSU was able to collect two more hits off Eddy in the final two frames as junior outfielder Colleen Roney (Wheaton, Ill./Glen Ellyn Glenbard South) reached base on a single thru the left side of the Timberwolves' infield in the sixth and sophomore first baseman Chelsea Morris (Jenison) belted a single down the right field line in the bottom of the seventh.
Megan Eddy (5-1) limited the Bulldogs to three hits while striking out five and walking two in seven innings. Kayle Stevenson (4-6) chalked up seven strikeouts and issued five bases on balls to go with four hits allowed in seven innings.
Ferris State and Northwood will renew their acquaintances this Tuesday (April 6) as the teams square off in a conference doubleheader at NU's Fisher Stadium in Midland, Mich. The opener is set for a 3:30 p.m. (EDT) opening pitch will the second game will commence around 5:30 p.m. (EDT).