Softball Outlasts Ohio Dominican, 4-3, For Third Straight Win

The Ferris State University women's softball team remained perfect in Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) play as the Bulldogs overcame a one-run deficit with three runs in the fifth inning to post a 4-3 triumph over Ohio Dominican this Saturday (March 26) in the opener of a conference doubleheader at ODU's Panther Field in Columbus, Ohio.

Junior designated player Allison Webber (Frankfort) produced two hits and three RBIs to spark the Ferris State offense, which would claim a 9-8 edge over Ohio Dominican in base hits.  The Bulldogs, who won their third straight contest and are now 3-0 in the GLIAC's North Division to date this season, tallied three runs in the top of the fifth inning highlighted by Webber's two-run single up the middle of the ODU infield with two outs as FSU overcame a 2-1 deficit. 

Ferris State, which improved its overall record to 6-9 this spring, jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the top of the second inning on Allison Webber's run-scoring base hit.   Webber singled home junior first baseman Chelsea Morris (Jenison), who had started off the frame with a double to right field, and was moved to third base on junior left fielder Stephanie Dusendang's (Comstock Park/Rockford) sacrifice bunt.

Ohio Dominican (5-16; 0-3 GLIAC South Division) proceeded to gain the upper hand in the bottom half of the third with a pair of runs on two hits.  A FSU infield throwing error contributed to the Panthers' scoring as Jennifer Baker singled in the home team's first run and a RBI sacrifice fly off the bat of Kylee Crislip put Ohio Dominican ahead 2-1.

In the three-run fifth, senior right fielder Colleen Roney (Wheaton, Ill./Glen Ellyn Glenbard South) and junior third baseman Makenzi Peterson (Big Rapids) lead off with back-to-back singles before the next two FSU batters were each retired on a fielder's choice.  However, the Bulldogs capitalized on a ODU infielder throwing error which allowed freshman pinch-runner Brittney Buti (Niles) to score an unearned run.  The next batter, Allison Webber connected on a pitch from ODU starter Shana Etter and hit a single up the middle of the Panthers' infield to score both senior shortstop Lynsay Weaver (Bay City/All Saints) and Stephanie Dusendang.

Ohio Dominican would slice the Bulldogs' lead to one run at 4-3 by tallying a single run in the bottom of the sixth inning as a result of a wild pitch by FSU starting pitcher Dana Bowler (Lockport, Ill.).  A sophomore, Bowler (4-3) would fan Kylee Crislip with the bases loaded to prevent any futher damage.  In the bottom of the seventh, Bowler retired the side in order to finish the contest with three strikeouts and three walks apiece in seven innings.  Shana Etter (2-8), who pitched the first 4.2 innings for ODU, suffered the loss as she struck out two and issued three bases on balls.  Maria Staton came in to spell Etter and allowed just one hit in the final 2.1 innings while striking out two FSU hitters. 

Allison Webber and Colleen Roney each garnered two hits to lead Ferris State as the seven batters collected at least a hit.

Notes: Makenzi Peterson extended her hitting streak to seven games with a single against Ohio Dominican.  The 2010 All-GLIAC Honorable Mention honoree is batting .417 (10-24) in her last seven encounters with a .625 slugging percentage . . .  Allison Webber's seven hits this season in 21 at bats this season ties a career single-season high, matching her output a season ago in 30 official plate appearances . . . Ferris State has registered at least nine base hits in a game on six occasions this season . . . Allison Webber and Lynsay Weaver lead the Bulldogs in batting for GLIAC outings only with .500 averages at the plate as each has collected three hits in six at bats to date . . . The contest marked the first-ever meeting between the two schools.