Bulldog Softball Falls To Ninth-Ranked Wayne State In Game One
The Ferris State University softball team appeared on its way of being victorious in the opening game of a Sunday (April 25) Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) doubleheader versus nationally ninth-ranked Wayne State, but the Warriors overcame a one-run deficit in the sixth inning to score twice en route to a 3-2 victory over the Bulldogs at the WSU Softball Stadium in Detroit, Mich.
Wayne State went ahead 1-0 with a first-inning run and held its slim advantage until the top of the fifth inning when Ferris State score the equalizer on senior outfielder Rachel Wade's (Canton) RBI single up the middle. Junior outfielder Colleen Roney (Wheaton, Ill./Glen Ellyn Glenbard South) started the scoring for Ferris with a one-out single through the left side of the Warriors' infield. She then was able to move into scoring position at second base as a result of a passed ball and then scored on Wade's two-out single off WSU starting pitcher Casey Hanes.
In the sixth, Ferris State plated its second run of the contest to take a 2-1 lead. Sophomore third baseman Makenzi Peterson (Big Rapids) lead off with a single and would eventually score the go-ahead run via a run-scoring single off the bat of sophomore first baseman Chelsea Morris (Jenison).
Wayne State was successful in mounting a comeback in the bottom half of the sixth frame as the Warriors took the long ball route. Freshman pitcher Dana Bowler (Lockport, Ill.) issued a walk to leadoff hitter Rebecca Stanley, but was able to get the next two WSU batters out. Unfortunately, Bowler was able to retire the third out but not before Warrior catcher Brittany Omelanchuk smacked a two-run home run over the right center field fence to put the hosts up 3-2.
WSU's pitching ace Casey Hanes (35-4) allowed a leadoff single by Colleen Roney in the top of the seventh and then walked senior second baseman Amanda Harrington (St. Joseph/Stevensville-Lakeshore). The Bulldogs were able to get runners at third and second with one out, but Hanes was able to get freshman outfielder Morgan Kramerich (Crest Hill, Ill./Lockport) on a flyout and then retire Makenzie Peterson on an infield pop up for the third out.
Dana Bowler (7-9) tossed six innings while allowing six hits, two walks, and struck out five. Casey Hanes recorded nine strikeouts and gave up six innings in seven inning in the circle for Wayne State, which improved to 43-9 overall and 17-4 in the GLIAC.
Peterson and Roney each generated two hits to lead the Ferris State hitting attack.
The setback dropped Ferris State to 22-15 overall this season as the Bulldogs are 13-8 in conference matchups.