Ferris State Scores Late To Down Saginaw Valley State, 1-0

A run-scoring double by junior outfielder Stephanie Dusendang (Comstock Park/Rockford) in the top of the seventh inning and a two-hit pitching gem from sophomore Dana Bowler (Lockport, Ill.) helped lead Ferris State University softball team to its fourth consecutive win in a 1-0 Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) decision over Saginaw Valley State this Saturday (April 9) afternoon at the SVSU's Cardinal Field in University Center, Mich.

The doubleheader opener featured a duel between two of the conference's top pitchers in Ferris State's Dana Bowler (8-5) and Saginaw Valley State's Jade Fulton (14-5).  Both hurlers were quite effective as Bowler gave up only two hits while striking out two and walking one.  Fulton allowed four Bulldog hits and fanned a game-high nine batters while also going the distance in the pitching circle.

Ferris State would account for the game's only run, which came in the top of the seventh inning.  Junior third baseman Makenzi Peterson (Big Rapids) hit a Fulton pitch to left field for a leadoff two-base hit and then advanced to third base on a sacrifice bunt by junior first baseman Chelsea Morris (Jenison) to the SVSU pitcher.  Opportunity presented itself for Stephanie Dusendang, who smacked a RBI double into right centerfield to score Peterson.  Fulton was successful in retiring the next two batters as senior shortstop Lynsay Weaver (Bay City/All Saints) on strikes and senior catcher Rachel Mueller (Milford/Santa Clarita, Calif. Valencia) lined out to center field to end the inning.

In the bottom of the seventh, Dana Bowler retired the Cardinals in order as the game's final out would fittingly come on a groundout to Bowler. 

The Bulldogs, who improved to 12-13 overall and 9-4 in the GLIAC's North Division, collected their four base hits from Stephanie Dusendang, Makenzi Peterson, Lynsay Weaver, and Rachel Mueller. 

The best scoring chance by either team in the game occurred in the top of the fifth when Ferris State stranded two runners on base following consecutive two-out singles by Lynsay Weaver and Rachel Mueller.  SVSU, which fell to 23-9 overall and 10-3 in the GLIAC North Division, would get a leadoff double by Kailah Happ in the bottom of the sixth.  She advanced to third base on a sacrifice, but would be stranded there as the Bulldogs were successful in getting the next two Cardinal hitters out.  

Notes: Makenzi Peterson's double in the seventh extended her hitting streak to eight games . . .  Dana Bowler has allowed only six hits and one run in her last 16 innings pitched . . .  The Bulldogs are won six of their last seven outings to date, which includes the four-game winning string . . . Stephanie Dusendang has now driven in at least a run in her last four contests . . . Dana Bowler earned her eighth win (8-5 record) of this season which equals her 2010 victories total (8-10 record).