Walsh Holds Off Bulldogs To Pull Of Sweep In GLIAC Doubleheader

Walsh Holds Off Bulldogs To Pull Of Sweep In GLIAC Doubleheader

Big Rapids, Mich. - The Ferris State University softball team could not duplicate its league-opening performance in Canton, Ohio, as the Bulldogs suffered a pair of setbacks on Monday (March 30) in Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) play versus Walsh.

The Bulldogs, who were coming off a GLIAC sweep over Malone in Canton in their first two conference games of the year on Sunday, dropped the opening game to the Cavaliers by a 5-0 count on Monday before falling 9-6 in the nightcap.

With the two setbacks, FSU is now 2-2 overall in league play and will return home to host its first home games of the year at the FSU Softball Field versus Saginaw Valley State on Tuesday (March 31).

In Monday's first game, the Bulldogs gave up five runs in the bottom of the second inning as that was all Walsh would need in a 5-0 triumph. FSU was held without a hit while the Cavaliers produced seven in the game to pull out the victory.

Walsh's Casi Rohr had a big day in the circle as she struck out 17 batters and did not give up a hit or a run in the no-hitter and complete game effort. She retired all 21 FSU hitters in the contest. Had it not been for a hit batter in the fifth inning, Rohr would have posted a perfect game in the win for Walsh as she moved to 5-3 overall this season.

FSU had only three balls in play in the opener, including a pop foul to the catcher, a ground out to first and a fly out to left field. All five of the Walsh runs came in the second inning.

Bulldog senior Cara DeLange suffered the pitching loss in game one despite giving up only seven total hits and five runs in six innings. She had eight K's with only two walks in the setback.

Both Abby Reusser and Kendra Moore produced two hits each for the Cavaliers with Moore also driving in two runs and notching a triple in the game.

In game two, the Cavaliers started quickly with two runs in the opening inning followed by three in the second to take a 5-0 lead on the Bulldogs. Ferris State managed to cut the margin to two runs with a pair of scores in the third and one more in the fourth, but Walsh plated four runs in the top of the sixth and then held off the Bulldogs, who totaled three in the seventh to account for the final margin.

After going hitless in the opener, the Bulldogs totaled 10 hits in game two, but allowed 11 to Walsh and also had four errors in the field.

Sophomore Stacy Thompson hurled six full innings for the Bulldogs, giving up nine runs on 11 hits with a single walk and strikeout before giving way to sophomore Megan Hiler. She did not allow a run or hit and tallied two K's in one full inning of work.

Offensively, the Bulldogs received two hits and five RBI's from left fielder Sam Bates, who hit two home runs for Ferris State. Shortstop Sarah Johnson also came up with an RBI while Alyssa Smith notched two hits in the game. Hallie Utter added a double to help the Bulldog cause.

On the Walsh side, Jenna Head registered a team-high four RBI's with three hits, including a homer in the contest. Moore tripled while Marissa Bondoni homered and recorded three RBI's in the game.

Bondoni was victorious in the circle for the Cavaliers with only three runs and hits allowed in four innings of work. She also totaled four strikeouts. Olivia Pifer pitched three innings, giving up three runs on seven hits with a single walk and strikeout.

FSU had won three consecutive games prior to the sweep by Walsh.

The Bulldogs return home to play their next six games at the FSU Softball Field in Big Rapids. Game one against Saginaw Valley State on Tuesday is set for 3 p.m. (ET) with game two to follow at approximately 5 p.m. (ET).