Big Rapids, Mich. - Quick starts in both games led visiting Wayne State to a Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) sweep over the Ferris State University softball team on Wednesday (April 15) afternoon at the FSU Softball Field.
The league-leading Warriors struck for six runs in the opening frame en route to a 9-2 triumph over the Bulldogs in game one and then scored eight times in the first two innings to pull out a 9-1 victory over FSU in a five-inning contest in the nightcap.
In the opener, Wayne State produced six runs on five hits and a Bulldog error during the game's initial at-bat before the Bulldogs buckled down. From there, the Warriors managed only two additional runs in the fourth with FSU scoring the game's final three runs, but it was not enough. FSU was outhit 10-7 in the first game and also totaled six errors in the field to one for the Warriors.
WSU received a complete-game performance from sophomore pitcher Lyndsay Butler, who improved to 15-6 overall with the win. She allowed only two runs on seven hits and posted 14 strikeouts with no walks in the opener.
Bulldog senior Cara DeLange also went the distance for Ferris State and posted two strikeouts with a walk.
FSU was led at the plate by third baseman Bailey Darwin, who tallied two hits including a double in the game. Sophomore catcher Casey Bias also had two hits with first baseman Kayti Carlson recording both of the Bulldogs' RBI's in the setback.
Along with her pitching performance, Butler led Wayne State at the plate by notching her fourth home run of the campaign. She totaled two hits. Meanwhile, three others also had multiple hits and the Warriors finished with three doubles in the game.
In game two, Wayne State put five runs on the board and added three more in the second. They limited FSU to a single run in the third as the contest went five innings. WSU owned a 12-3 edge in hits for the nightcap.
Senior Briana Lee posted the win for the Warriors in the finale with one run and three hits allowed in four innings of work. She had four K's and a walk. Mackenzie Boehler pitched the final frame and did not allow a run or a hit after striking out all three batters she faced.
Sophomore Megan Hiler got the start for the Bulldogs and allowed seven runs on seven hits in one and two-thirds innings of action. Stacy Thompson came on in relief and surrendered two runs on five hits in two and one-third innings with a single strikeout.
The Warriors hit three home runs in game two and received two hits each from Kristen Lucas, Nikki Fulton and Jade McGarr. Lee had two RBI's at the plate as did Fulton.
Ferris State's three hits in the final game included two from shortstop Sarah Johnson along with one from outfielder Alyssa Smith.
The two games were played in front of large crowd as the Bulldogs held their annual Student-Athlete Day in conjunction with the two contests.
FSU continues its 16-game homestand on Friday (April 17) as the Bulldogs entertain Lake Superior State with the first pitch for game one slated for 3 p.m. (ET) and game two beginning at approximately 5 p.m. (ET).
On Saturday (April 18), Ferris State then hosts archrival Grand Valley State for Senior Day starting at 1 p.m. (ET). DeLange, who is the team's lone senior, will be honored during the afternoon ceremony. FSU also hosts Saginaw Valley State on Monday (April 20) afternoon to wrap-up the homestand.
