Home Runs Power Ferris State Softball Past Ohio Dominican In Sweep

Home Runs Power Ferris State Softball Past Ohio Dominican In Sweep

Big Rapids, Mich. - The Ferris State University softball team picked up a key Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) road sweep over Ohio Dominican on Saturday (April 20) as the Bulldogs beat the Panthers by scores of 4-3 and 5-2 in Columbus, Ohio.

With the sweep at Panther Field, Ferris State improved to 19-11 overall and 11-5 in conference action this campaign.

Senior pitcher Dana Bowler tossed all seven innings in the opener as Ferris State fought back from a 2-0 deficit after the first inning to post the victory.  FSU tied up the game with two runs in the top of the fourth, but ODU answered with a single run in the bottom of the inning to take a one-run lead.  

However, in the top of the sixth, junior Amy Dunleavy homered down the left field line to drive in a pair of runs and FSU held on for the victory.  Overall, FSU had six hits compared to seven for the Panthers.

Bowler struck out seven batters and walked only one while allowing three runs on seven hits in the complete game triumph.

Offensively, Dunleavy had a pair of homers and totaled four RBI's.  Senior outfielder Morgan Kramerich also totaled two hits and scored twice while Michelle Tononi netted a sacrifice hit for FSU in the game played under slightly overcast skies.

Ohio Dominican again jumped out to a two-run lead in game two with single runs scored in both the top half of the second and third innings.  FSU tied it up with two runs in the fourth and then claimed the win after scoring three runs in the sixth to break the deadlock.

As was the case in game one, the Bulldogs took the lead for good on a home run as senior catcher Liz Hamming homered to drive in three runs in the sixth after both Dunleavy and senior Lindsey Pettit had reached base on singles.

Like Dunleavy in game one, Hamming had a pair of home runs in game two to lead the Bulldogs.  Her two shots produced five RBI's.  Dunleavy also had a pair of hits in the nightcap while senior Lainee Clay and Pettit both had solo base hits to account for FSU's six total hits in the game.

The Bulldogs went back with Bowler in game two and she picked up her 12th victory of the year.  She allowed only four hits and recorded 11 strikeouts to go with two walks in hurling all seven innings.

Ohio Dominican dropped to 18-22-1 overall on the year and fell to 13-5 in conference play after having entered the twinbill with only three conference setbacks to date.

Ferris State wraps up its six-game weekend trip by visiting Tiffin on Sunday (April 21) for a conference doubleheader.  Game one is set for a 12 p.m. (ET) start with game two to follow in Tiffin, Ohio.