Ferris State Softball's Winning Streak Continues With 2-1 Squeaker
Junior outfielder Colleen Roney (Wheaton, Ill./Glen Ellyn Glenbard South) dashed home with the game's winning run in the bottom of the seventh inning on as passed ball as the Ferris State University softball team was victorious for the seventh straight time in a 2-1 win over California (Pa.) Wednesday (March 10) afternoon at the Florida Rebel Spring Games Tournament in Kissimmee, Fla.
With the decision, Ferris State improves its overall record to 9-5 this season as the Bulldogs have won nine of their last 10 contests to date. FSU has won its last seven Florida Rebel Spring Tournament outings after coming up short in its initial tourney appearance.
Ferris State had taken a 1-0 lead into the top of the sixth inning after scoring in the bottom of the third on a run-scoring fielder's choice by junior catcher Rachel Mueller (Santa Clarita, Calif./Valencia). However, the Vulcans would tie the contest up at 1-1 in the top of the sixth frame on pinch hitter Kristen McKenzie's solo home run off FSU freshman pitcher Dana Bowler (Lockport, Ill.).
The game-tying run set the stage for the seventh inning as Bowler was able to get the first two CUP outs before giving up a single to outfielder Kayleigh Braim. The Vulcan hitter would proceed to second base on a passed ball, but Bowler was able to escape trouble by striking out designated player Laurel Marshalek for the final out.
In the bottom of the seventh, Colleen Roney led off with a single to center field and advanced to second pass as a result of a passed ball. Senior second baseman Amanda Harrington (St. Joseph/Stevensville-Lakeshore) drew a walk and would Bulldog runners would end up advancing one base on balk call. Roney eventually tallied the winning unearned run on a pass ball which got away from CUP catcher Alyson Johnson.
For Ferris, Dana Bowler improved her season mark to 3-2 this spring in the pitching circle as she allowed just the one run while scattering four hits and striking out a season-high seven Vulcan batters.
Senior outfielder Rachel Wade (Canton), who's currently the Bulldogs' top hitter, went two-of-three at the plate as her two base hits accounted for half of the team's offensive output in the batter's box.
The Bulldogs will look to continue their winning string this Thursday (March 11) morning with a pair of non-conference encounters. FSU faces Slippery Rock (Pa.) in a 9 a.m. (EST) contest at the Osceola County Softball Complex before squaring off against Minnesota Duluth at 11 a.m. (EST).