Bulldog Softball Records Road Sweep At Saginaw Valley State

Big Rapids, Mich. - The Ferris State University softball team opened a busy four-day stretch with a sweep on the road over Saginaw Valley State in Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) play on Thursday (April 25) afternoon in University Center, Mich.

The Bulldogs posted a 2-1 win over the Cardinals in the opening game of the day at the SVSU Softball Complex before coming back to register a 6-3 win in the nightcap.  The two-game league set had been postponed twice before due to weather and was delayed an hour late on Thursday because of field conditions.

In game one, the Bulldogs scored twice in the fourth and limited SVSU to only a single run on four hits en route to the victory.  Senior pitcher Dana Bowler notched her 15th win of the year as she tallied 12 strikeouts and walked none in the complete game win.

Offensively, the Bulldogs received a pair of hits from junior Amy Dunleavy along with single hits by Alyssa Smith, Morgan Kramerich, Lindsey Pettit, Liz Hamming and Alex Wittman as the Bulldogs recorded seven hits in the game.  Wittman drove in two runs to lead the Bulldogs and Michelle Tononi also had a sacrifice hit.

SVSU was led by Lindsay Hayward's two hits. The Cardinals' pitcher, Jillian Williamson, walked four FSU batters and struck out three in seven innings.

In game two, the Bulldogs fought back from a 2-0 deficit by scoring two runs in the third, fifth and six innings apiece to notch the victory.  FSU totaled 10 hits overall in the nightcap to four for the Cardinals.

Dunleavy started game two and allowed three runs on three hits in three and two-thirds innings before giving way to Bowler, who came on in relief and allowed only a single hit in three and one-third innings to earn the save.  The duo combined for eight strikeouts and walked three.

Dunleavy doubled at the plate for the Bulldogs and had two hits overall to go with a game-high four RBI's while FSU also received multiple hits from both Tononi and Rachael Gabrielson.  Smith led the Bulldogs with three hits in the contest from the leadoff position.

Besides Dunleavy's four runs batted in, the Bulldogs also received RBI's from Smith and Kramerich while senior Laine Clay and Kramerich both netted sacrifice hits as well.

Williamson also pitched game two for Saginaw Valley State and allowed six runs on five hits with two walks and no strikeouts.  Ashley Beal had two hits for SVSU in game two.

With the two wins, Ferris State improved to 22-12 overall this season and 14-6 in the GLIAC.  SVSU fell to 12-20 overall and 8-10 in league play.

The Bulldogs will now play their final six league regular-season contests at home beginning on Friday (April 26) when FSU entertains the Findlay Oilers in conference action beginning at 3:30 p.m. for game one of a two-game series in Big Rapids. FSU will celebrate the 40th anniversary of Title IX with a special event being held in conjunction with Friday's action.

Then, on Saturday (April 27), FSU entertains Hillsdale for two conference home contests slated to begin at 1 p.m. (ET). Finally, on Sunday (April 28) the Bulldogs will face Northwood beginning at 2 p.m. (ET) for game one and game two to follow in Big Rapids.