Big Rapids, Mich. - After nearly two days off, the Ferris State University softball team returned to action at the Florida Rebel Spring Games on Thursday (March 13) and split two contests in Winter Haven, Fla.
The Bulldogs suffered a 10-1 non-league setback to Midwest Regional opponent Southern Indiana in the opening game of the day, but rebounded for a 9-2 triumph over yet another regional foe in Maryville (Mo.) in the second contest at the Auburndale Complex.
In the opening game of the day, the Screaming Eagles scored a pair of runs in the top of the first inning to grab the early lead oveer the Bulldogs and then added four additional runs in the second and another four in the fifth to win the contest in five frames.
USI outhit FSU 8-3 for the contest and pitcher Brooke Harmening allowed only a single for while moving to 4-2 this season for Southern Indiana.
FSU's three hits came from outfielders Alyssa Smith and Rachael Gabrielson along with second baseman Michelle Tononi. Smith scored Ferris State's lone run in the bottom half of the first inning as Tononi recorded the RBI.
Bulldog senior Amy Dunleavy pitched one and two-thirds innings while allowing six runs on six hits with three walks and a strikeout in earning the loss. Both Cara DeLange and Stacy Thompson also pitched in the game and each allowed only a single hit. DeLange gave up four runs and walked five while posting two strikeouts with Thompson pitched two-thirds of a shutout inning with a single K.
Shortstop Janna Green went 3-of-4 with three RBI's in leading Southern Indiana at the plate as the Screaming Eagles moved to 7-3 overall on the year.
In game two against Maryville, the Saints jumped to a 1-0 lead on a solo home run by Danni Wydra in the bottom of the second. In the next inning, Maryville drew a walk and Wydra had another RBI to push across the second tally and build a 2-0 advantage.
However, the Bulldogs doubled in two runs to start a seven-run fifth inning. FSU tacked on insurance runs in the last two innings. The Saints put two runners aboard in the bottom of the sixth but that would prove to be their final threat as Ferris State held on for the win to move to 3-6 on the year.
Prior to the two games, the Bulldogs had an off day on Tuesday and then were rained out on Wednesday in Florida.
FSU wraps up action in the Florida Rebel Spring Games with two more contests on Friday (March 14). The Bulldogs will face St. Cloud State in a 9 a.m. (ET) contest before facing Lees-McRae (N.C.) later in the morning at 11 a.m. (ET).
After Friday's action, Ferris State returns home and is slated to open Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) play at home with a league twinbill versus Ashland on Saturday, March 22, starting at 12 p.m. (ET) at the FSU Softball Field in Big Rapids if weather permits.
