Ferris State Softball Blanks Grand Valley State, 2-0, In Game Two
Ferris State University senior pitcher Kayle Stevenson (Holland/West Ottawa) threw a complete-game three-hitter in helping the Ferris State University softball team to a 2-0 victory over Grand Valley State this Wednesday (April 14) afternoon in the second game of a Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) doubleheader played at the FSU Softball Field in Big Rapids, Mich.
The victory improves Ferris State to 16-11 overall on the season as the Bulldogs are now 7-4 in conference action. FSU has presently won seven of its last nine outings to date following the twinbill split against Grand Valley State, which is now 20-12 overall and 8-4 in the league.
Ferris State scored the nightcap's first run in the top of third inning with Grand Valley State starting pitcher Andrea Nicholson in the circle. Senior outfielder Rachel Wade (Canton) infield single near the shortstop drove in sophomore pinch-runner Stephanie Dusendang (Comstock Park/Rockford) to give the Bulldogs a 1-0 advantage. FSU's scoring play developed with a leadoff walk to junior catcher Rachel Mueller (Santa Clarita, Calif./Valencia). Dusendang came in to pinch run for Mueller and went to second base after junior shortstop Lynsay Weaver (Bay City/All Saints) laid down a sacrifice. Dusendang would advance to third on a passed ball and after senior second baseman Amanda Harrington (St. Joseph/Stevensville-Lakeshore) walked, Wade delivered the run-scoring base hit.
The Bulldogs would add an insurance run in the next inning as sophomore first baseman Chelsea Morris (Jenison) leadoff with a single up the middle. Freshman Delany Eubank (Frankfort) was inserted for Morris as a pinch runner and advanced to second base on a groundout. Rachel Mueller took an offering by GVSU relief pitcher Lauren Rohan and belted the ball sharply between the legs of third baseman Katie Martin for a RBI single to make the score 2-0 in favor of the Ferris.
Kayle Stevenson (6-6) managed to hold Grand Valley State in check and was avoid potential danger in the Laker sixth. GVSU loaded the bases with one out, but Stevenson was able to escape trouble as Lynsay Weaver came up with a big throwing play to home for second out on a force out. Stevenson, who totaled two strikeouts and issued four walks, thrwarted the Lakers' rally by fielding a groundout by Emily Holt for the inning's final out.
Ferris State put themselves in fine scoring position in the seventh, but the Bulldogs were denied despite loading the bases with two outs.
Freshman outfielder Morgan Kramerich's (Crest Hill, Ill./Lockport) went three-for-three to lead Ferris State, which received one hit apiece from Rachel Wade, Chelsea Morris, and Rachel Mueller.
The win marked the 399th career coaching victory for FSU head coach Keri Becker, who's presently in her 13th year leading the Bulldog program.
FSU will entertain the Tiffin Dragons this Saturday (April 17) in a conference doubleheader at Big Rapids. The first game starts at 1 p.m. (EDT) with the second game to follow around 3 p.m. (EDT). This Saturday's twinbill is being designated as Student-Athlete Day with free food and gameday t-shirts for Ferris' student-athletes.