Ferris State Softball Drops Two Games In Florida As Five-Game Win Streak Halted

Big Rapids, Mich. - The Ferris State University softball team had its toughest day of the 2016 campaign to date on Sunday (March 6) as the Bulldogs dropped two non-league contests at The Spring Games in Clermont, Fla.

Ferris State, which had won five-straight outings entering the day, fell in a tight contest to West Chester by a 7-6 score in the opener before suffering a 7-1 defeat to Shippensburg (Pa.) in the second game of the night.

In the opener, West Chester scored twice in each of the first two innings, building a 4-1 advantage before FSU rallied. Ferris State scored once apiece in the fourth and fifth frames before putting three runs on the board in the top of the sixth to grab a 6-5 lead. However, WCU scored two runs in the bottom half of the sixth to regain the lead and held FSU at bay in its final at-bat in the seventh.

The Bulldogs were outhit 10-9, but received four RBI's from outfielder Alexx Astorga on two hits with two runs scored. Both of her hits came on two home runs in the game.

Along with Astorga, FSU's Bailey Darwin and Stephanie Neuman also had two hits each. Sam Bates, Alexis Hongisto and Emily Reed all had a single hit apiece with both Hongisto and Neuman also recording RBI's.

Megan Jean suffered the pitching loss after hurling all six innings in the circle for the Bulldogs. She gave up seven runs on 10 hits with five strikeouts in the setback.

In game two, Ferris State faced Shippensburg for the second-straight day after recording a 11-6 triumph in Saturday action. But, in Sunday's tilt, Shippensburg jumped in front early with four runs in the bottom of the second and never looked back. They added a single run in the  fifth and two more in the sixth before FSU finally got on the board in its last opportunity at the  plate.

Overall, Shippensburg compiled 11 hits to only three for the Bulldogs. FSU's hits came from Astorga along with Jean and Sarah Johnson. Jean posted the lone RBI with Johnson doubling for the Bulldogs.

Sam Bates suffered the loss in the circle with five runs allowed on nine hits in four innings. Megan Vanderwal pitched in relief for two innings and gave up two runs on two hits with three K's.

Ferris State fell to 10-4 overall in Florida with the two setbacks.

The Bulldogs will have only their second day off since beginning the trip to the Sunshine State last weekend on Monday. FSU then returns to action with a non-league twinbill at Eckerd (Fla.) on Tuesday (March 8) starting at 4 and 6 p.m. (ET).