HOME SWEEP! Ferris State Wins League Doubleheader Over Purdue Northwest To Open Weekend Homestand

Postgame Highlights & Interview 

Big Rapids, Mich. - The Ferris State University softball squad pulled off a Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) home sweep on Friday (April 7) as the Bulldogs beat Purdue Northwest 9-5 in the opener and earned a 3-2 triumph in 10 innings in the nightcap.

After winning game one, the Bulldogs rallied back for the game two win on a walk-off fly ball to right field from second baseman Josie Prince in the 10th for the two-game sweep over the Pride, which had entered the doubleheader with 21 wins on the year.

FSU got off to a strong start by scoring five runs in the first in the opening game, building a 5-0 lead before PNW responded with four runs in the second. However, Ferris State produced three runs in the bottom of the second to regain control and held on from there for a four-run win. Both teams finished with nine hits apiece.

The Bulldogs got two hits each from designated player Catherine O'Donohue along with center fielder Kylie Winkels along with shortstop Amara Zukowski. Winkels drove in three runs and Zukowski two while third baseman Brooklyn Verbeek scored three runs in the triumph. FSU's Kaitlyn Orme tripled while both Winkels and Zukowski doubled.

In the circle, O'Donohue pitched one and two-thirds of an inning, allowing four runs on there hits before giving way to Kristie Gray, who finished with only a single earned run allowed on six hits in two and one-third innings. Finally, Aryn Gallacher came on and did not allow a hit or a run in three innings of work. Together, the trio struck out four and did not walk any Pride batters.

In game two, the two teams battled thru nine scoreless innings of action before Purdue Northwest pulled in front with two runs in the top of the 10th. However, Ferris State answered in a big way and tied the game up before Prince provided the heroics with a two-out shot to right center to score the winning run. Ferris State finished with seven hits to six for the Pride.

FSU was led at the plate by Jadyn Joseph with two hits. Prince, Zukowski and Winkels all drove in runs in the victory.

In the circle, Aubrie Lafferty had a strong start for FSU, giving up no runs on two hits with two strikeouts and a walk in four and two-thirds innings. Gallacher came on and got the win, tossing five and one-thirds innings and allowing only one earned run on four hits with two walks.

The Bulldogs will host Parkside to complete the four-game weekend homestead on Saturday (April 8) with first pitch for game one beginning at 12 p.m. (ET) and game two set to follow at approximately 2 p.m. (ET). Ferris State will don special pink jerseys on Saturday as part of a "Pink Out" game to strikeout cancer and FSU President Dr. Bill Pink will throw out the ceremonial first pitch.