Bulldogs End Florida Trip With Setback

Big Rapids, Mich. - The Ferris State University softball team could not end its annual trip to Florida on a winning note as the Bulldogs fell to Shippensburg (Pa.) by a 6-2 count in Saturday's (March 10) second game at Kissimmee, Fla.

FSU wrapped up its participation in the Florida Rebel Spring Games with a 6-8 overall mark following the setback at Oren Brown Park.

Shippensburg struck first with a run in the initial inning, but the Bulldogs responded with a run of their own in the second.  Ferris State grabbed a 2-1 lead in the bottom of the fourth inning with a single run before a big Shippensburg inning in the sixth produced five runs to account for the final margin.

Dana Bowler pitched the entire contest for the Bulldogs and gave up six runs on six hits with five strikeouts and two walks against 33 batters faced.

Meawnwhile, Makenzie Lynn tossed seven innings on the Shippensburg side and allowed two runs on seven hits with two K's and no walks.

Offensively, both senior first baseman Chelsea Morris and senior third baseman Makenzi Peterson notched two hits each for the Bulldogs.  Morris homered in the game while shortstop Michelle Tononi also drove in a run.

Catcher Meg Lehman paced Shippensburg with three RBI's in the contest.

Overall, Ferris State was outhit 10-7 for the day and the Bulldogs left five runners on base in the outing.

Ferris State returns home and the Bulldogs are slated to next host Aquinas in their 2012 home opener on Monday, March 19, at the FSU Softball Field in Big Rapids.  First pitch for the twinbill is scheduled for 3:30 p.m. (ET).