Ferris State Earns Split On Final Day In Florida At The Spring Games

Big Rapids, Mich. - The Ferris State University softball squad closed out its annual spring trip to Florida with another split as the Bulldogs competed on the final day at The Spring Games in Clermont.

FSU fell in its opening game to Illinois-Springfield 12-11 before bouncing back to shutout Queens (N.Y.) 1-0 in the finale.

In the opener Ferris State scored seven runs in the third and four more in the fifth, but it was not enough as Illinois-Springfield totaled 14 hits and scored at least two runs in four of the first five frames to earn the triumph.

FSU's Sarah Meredith homered for the Bulldogs and drove in two runs while Lexee Summers produced three RBI's in the decision. The Bulldogs also got two RBI's from Kodi Ramirez while Emily Reed tallied three hits in the win. The Bulldogs' Paige Kortz and Emily Smith joined Summers with two hits each.

Ferris State utilized three different pitchers in the contest with Sam Bates giving up 10 runs on eight hits in four innings of work. Hannah Leppek allowed two runs on two hits while Abby Highway hurled three innings and did not surrender a run on four hits.

In the nightcap, the Bulldogs got the game's only run in the fifth to earn a 1-0 shutout over Queens. Meredith drove in the game's only run and led the way with two hits, including a double. FSU also got multiple hits from Reed and Sawyer Wightman.

Highway pitched four and one-third innings, giving up no runs on four hits with Katie Ross allowing only two hits and no runs in two and two-thirds innings of action.

Ferris State returns home and will officially open GLIAC action on Wednesday, Feb. 21, at rival Grand Valley State in Allendale.