Bulldogs No Hit By Northern Kentucky In 3-0 Loss

Try as they might, the Ferris State University softball team was unable to record a base hit off Northern Kentucky's April Ehlers as the Bulldogs were no hit in a 3-0 setback to the Norse this Wednesday (March 9) afternoon in a Florida Rebel Spring Games Tournament contest played at the Osceola Sports Complex in Kissimmee, Fla.

The loss puts Ferris State's overall record at 3-4 this season while Northern Kentucky improved its 2011 season mark to 7-7.

April Ehlers struck out 14 Bulldogs and walked two in a complete-game seven-inning performance for the Norse, who scored twice in the bottom half of the first inning before tallying a single run in the bottom of the sixth frame.

A one-out RBI double to right center field by Emily Schaeble in the first gave Northern Kentucky the contest's first run and Ashley Gates would follow with a run-scoring sacrifice flyout to left field off sophomore pitcher Dana Bowler (Lockport, Ill.).  NKU would push across its third run of the game in the sixth inning as Ehlers helped her own cause by hitting a single through the left side of the Ferris State infield to score the contest's final run.

A first-inning walk to senior right fielder Colleen Roney (Wheaton, Ill./Glen Ellyn Glenbard South) with one out represented the first of two Bullldogs who were able to reach base in the non-conference matchup.  In the top of the second inning, sophomore second baseman Lainee Clay (Wheelersburg, Ohio) lead off by drawing on a base on balls and would reach second base before senior catcher Rachel Mueller (Milford/Santa Clarita (Calif.) Valencia) was retired on a strikeout by Ehlers to end the inning.

Dana Bowler also turned in a noteworthy effort in the pitching circle as she held Northern Kentucky to only three hits while fanning six and walking three batters.  Bowler, who's record fell to 2-1 this spring, gave up three runs which were all earned.