Ferris State Drops First Two Games In Regional Action In Indiana

Big Rapids, Mich. - The Ferris State University softball squad returned to the field on Friday (Feb. 22), but suffered a pair of regional setbacks at Grand Park in Westfield, Ind.

The Bulldogs dropped a 9-7 decision to Southern Indiana in the opener on Friday before falling to Indianapolis 6-0 in the nightcap.

In game one, Southern Indiana put seven runs on the board in the bottom of the first and managed to pull out the triumph despite being outhit 14-8 by the Bulldogs. FSU also was hampered by six errors in the field of play.

The Bulldogs fought back in the opener with single runs in the second, third and fourth innings before pulling close with three runs in their final at-bat.

FSU's Kaitlyn Orme and Sawyer Wightman both had three hits with Paige Kortz, Jessica Tucci and Kylie Winkels notching a pair of hits apiece. Both Kortz and Orme scored twice while Orme also drove in three runs and Tucci had two RBI's.

In the opener, Orme doubled and belted two triples while Tucci also had a three-bagger for FSU.

Abby Highway pitched five innings for the Bulldogs and allowed eight runs on seven hits with two walks. Kaitlyn Nugent hurled a single inning and walked one while giving up a single run on one hit.

In game two, Indianapolis tallied a pair of runs in both the third and fourth frames while scoring a single run in the fifth and seventh innings. The Greyhounds held FSU off the board and compiled six hits to four for the Bulldogs.

FSU's four hits included singles from Kodi Ramirez along with Logan Fleming, Orme and Wightman.

The Bulldogs' Connor Proctor tossed six innings in the finale and allowed five runs on four hits with seven strikeouts and three walks. Nugent threw another single inning and allowed only one run on two hits.

The Bulldogs will be back in action on Saturday (Feb. 23) with two more games in Westfield against Bellarmine (Ky.) and Rockhurst (Mo.).