Ferris State Earns Regional Split In Day Two Action At The Spring Games In Florida

Big Rapids, Mich. - The Ferris State University softball squad picked up its first win on its annual spring break trip to Florida on Sunday (March 10) as the Bulldogs split two contests at The Spring Games in Clermont.

In the opener, the Bulldogs fell to nationally 17th-ranked Indianapolis in day two play by a 13-4 count before bouncing back to score a 6-5 triumph over Drury (Mo.) in regional afternoon action.

Indianapolis scored three runs in the opening inning and built a 7-0 lead after the top half of the third en route to the game one win. FSU managed to put two runs on the board in the third and fifth innings before the Greyhounds added four more in the seventh to earn the triumph. Overall, UIndy pounded out 19 hits to six for FSU.

Senior shortstop Logan Fleming paced the Bulldogs with three hits and scored twice in the setback while designated player Kaitlyn Orme had three RBI's. Orme homered and Fleming tripled while centerfielder Paige Kortz and Jessica Tucci both had hits as well. Tucci batted in the Bulldogs' other run.

Junior Abby Highway got the start in the pitching circle and gave up seven runs on nine hits in two and one-third inings. Orme tossed two and two-third innings while allowing two runs on four hits with a single strikeout before Kaitlyn Nugent threw the final two frames and surrendered four runs on six hits with a walk.

In game two, Ferris State bounced back and put two runs on the board in the first inning before taking a 5-0 lead with three more in the top half of the second. DU responded with three runs in the bottom of the second and pulled within 6-5 with two in the fourth, but could not muster the tying run in its final three at-bats. The Bulldogs held a 9-5 edge in hits.

Ferris State got two hits apiece from both Kodi Ramirez and Fleming with Orme, Tucci, Kortz, Madison McLeod and Rebecca Piron adding a hit each. Fleming had a game-high four RBI's and Tucci also drove in a run in the win. Ramirez doubled while Fleming homered and tripled for the Bulldogs.

Connor Proctor earned the win by tossing four innings with five runs allowed on only three hits. She struck out two and walked four. Highway threw in relief and did not allow a run on two hits with a strikeout.

The Bulldogs continue action in the Sunshine State with two more games on Monday as FSU faces St. Cloud State (Minn.) at 11:45 a.m. (ET) before taking on Lewis (Ill.) in a 2 p.m. (ET) regional tilt.