Ferris State Softball Closes First League Weekend With Sunday Split At Saginaw Valley State

Big Rapids, Mich. - The Ferris State University softball squad closed its opening weekend of Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) play on Sunday (March 24) with a road split against Saginaw Valley State in University Center, Mich.

The host Cardinals took a 10-8 win in game one before the Bulldogs rallied for a 10-3 triumph in the finale.

In the opener, the Bulldogs took a 1-0 lead into the third and the game was tied going to the fourth. FSU regained the edge in the fourth inning before Saginaw Valley State responded as the two teams combined for 13 runs in the fourth and fifth frames. Eventually, the Cardinals built a four-run lead before the Bulldogs cut the margin with two final runs in the seventh. SVSU posted 13 hits to 12 for the Bulldogs.

Bulldog outfielder Kylie Winkels totaled a game-high four hits for the Bulldogs and knocked in five runs while Lexi Hongisto totaled two hits with two RBI's. First baseman Sawyer Wightman also had a pair of hits. Hongisto homered in the triumph while the Bulldogs combined for five doubles off the bats of senior Logan Fleming, Jessica Tucci, Kaitlyn Orme, Hongisto and Winkels.

Connor Proctor threw four innings for the Bulldogs and allowed five runs on seven hits with a walk and a strikeout. Junior Abby Highway tossed two frames and allowed five runs, only two of which were earned, and six hits with a K.

Ferris State got off to a fast start in game two as the Bulldogs put seven runs on the board in the top of the first. SVSU answered with two runs in the bottom of the inning, but Ferris State tallied two runs in the third and each team totaled a single run the rest of the way. The Cardinals had 10 hits overall compared to nine for FSU, but the hosts also had three errors in the field.

The Bulldogs were led at the plate by second baseman Kodi Ramirez, who had four hits and drove in two runs. Tucci and Winkels both doubled and each had a pair of hits with Tucci also accounting for two RBI's in the victory. Catcher Rebecca Piron scored twice for FSU.

Ferris State's Kaitlyn Nugent got the victory in the circle as she tossed all seven innings and allowed only three runs on 10 hits with four strikeouts and a walk.

The Bulldogs snapped a five-game skid with the game two win and are now 10-14 overall this season.

FSU is slated to play its first home action of the year on Wednesday (March 27) against Davenport University if weather and field conditions permit. Game one is slated for a 2:30 p.m. (ET) start with the finale at 4:30 p.m. (ET). Stay tuned to FerrisStateBulldogs.com for any schedule updates if needed.