Ferris State Softball Closes Season-Opening Trip With Second Consecutive Road Split

Big Rapids, Mich. - For the second consecutive day, the Ferris State University softball team came away with a split as the Bulldogs closed a season-opening weekend trip to Kentucky against Kentucky State on Monday (Feb. 4) in Frankfort, Ky.

In the opener, the Bulldogs fell to KSU 13-4 before bouncing back to win the nightcap 11-4 to even their record at 2-2 on the weekend.

Ferris State compiled 11 hits in game one to 10 for Kentucky State, but the hosts notched eight runs in the bottom of the fifth to take control of the contest. FSU got multiple-hit games from oufielder Paige Kortz along with shortstop Logan Fleming in addition to Jessica Tucci and Kylie Winkels in the setback.

Bulldog catcher Rebecca Piron scored two runs and Fleming doubled in the loss.

Meanwhile, FSU's Abby Highway threw four and two-thirds innings, giving up nine runs on eight hits with three strikeouts and only one walk. Katie Ross allowed four runs on two hits.

Ferris State dominated game two after Kentucky State took a 3-2 lead following the first inning as FSU plated three runs in the third, one in the fourth and five in the fifth to put the game away. The Bulldogs notched 12 hits in the game two win to only five for KSU.

Both Fleming and Winkels doubled in the victory with Kirsten Johnson and Kortz belting homers for the Bulldogs. Fleming tallied three hits while Kodi Ramirez and Kortz each had two with both scoring a pair of runs along with Piron. Kortz and Lexi Hongisto each had three RBI's with Johnson and Fleming garnering two each.

FSU's Connor Proctor earned the game two win for the Bulldogs by allowing only four runs on five hits with seven strikeouts in five innings of work.

The Bulldogs will next take part in the Midwest Region Crossover Feb. 22-24 in Evanvsille, Ind., before making their annual trip to Florida for The Spring Games in Clermont March 9-15.