Bulldogs Get Past Findlay, 5-4, In Second Game
Junior outfielder Colleen Roney (Wheaton, Ill./Glen Ellyn Glenbard South) delivered the key hit in the bottom of the sixth inning in helping the Ferris State University softball team to a 5-4 decision over the Findlay Oilers this Saturday (April 10) in game two of a Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) doubleheader at UF's Anderson Field in Findlay, Ohio.
Ferris State trailed 4-2 heading into the bottom of the fifth inning, but tallied a pair of runs on three hits to draw into a 4-4 tie. The Bulldogs then recorded what proved to be the game winner in the bottom of the sixth as sophomore first baseman Chelsea Morris (Jenison) lead off with a single and would advance to second on a groundout. With two outs, Colleen Roney produced a game-winning RBI single off Findlay pitcher Julia Stadler.
FSU, which chalked up nine hits in the game, took a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first on a RBI single by senior designated player-pitcher Rhea Flores (Dearborn Heights/Southgate Anderson). The one-run lead was short lived as Findlay erupted for three runs on just one hit off Bulldog starting pitcher Kayle Stevenson (Holland/West Ottawa) in the top of the second to take a 3-1 lead.
Ferris State was able to chip away at the Oilers' two-run advantage with a single run in the fourth inning as a result of back-to-back doubles by Rhea Flores and Chelsea Morris. However, Findlay was able to get its lead back to two runs (4-2) in the top of the fifth off relief pitcher Rhea Flores. The Bulldogs would counter in the bottom half of the stanza by scoring twice on three hits. Senior outfielder Rachel Wade (Canton) drove in the first run with a two-base hit to left field and then with two outs, sophomore third baseman Makenzi Peterson (Big Rapids) cracked a double to left field scoring Wade for the game-tying run. FSU threatened to gain the upper hand in the inning as a wild pitch advanced Peterson to third base. Peterson tried to steal home but was called out to end the inning.
Rhea Flores remained perfect in the circle this season at 5-0 as she earned the decision with 5.2 innings of relief as she gave up three hits and one run while fanning three UF batters.
Flores along with Colleen Roney and Chelsea Morris generated a team-leading two hits apiece for Ferris State, which is now 13-10 overall and 4-3 in GLIAC action to date with the league doubleheader sweep.
The Bulldogs continue their conference road trip this Sunday (April 11) afternoon with a pair of outings versus the Hillsdale Chargers. Game one begins at 12 p.m. (EDT) with the second game to follow around 3 p.m. (EDT).