Ferris State Softball Drops Close One In Regular-Season Home Finale

The Ferris State University softball team rallied from a two-run first-inning deficit but it wasn't enough as the Bulldogs came up just short in a 2-1 loss to the Northwood Timberwolves this Wednesday (April 21) afternoon in a Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) matchup at the FSU Varsity Softball Field in Big Rapids, Mich.

The regular-season home finale loss drops Ferris State's record to 20-14 overall and 11-7 in conference action.  Northwood improves to 19-12 overall and 11-3 in the GLIAC as a result of the win.  

Northwood scored both of its runs in the bottom half of the first inning on one hit to go with a Ferris State error.  Tiffany Melgoza drove in the contest's first run with a double to left centerfield which scored Jamie Swick, who reached base on an one-out bases on balls.  The Timberwolves' second and final run occurred on a throwing error by sophomore third baseman Makenzi Peterson (Big Rapids), allowing Melgoza to score from second base.

For Northwood, pitcher Megan Eddy (8-3) kept Ferris State hitless through the first five innings and was able to get the first out in the top of the sixth frame.  However, junior outfielder Colleen Roney (Wheaton, Ill./Glen Ellyn Glenbard South) broke up Eddy's no-hit bid with a hard hit liner into the left field gap for a triple.  Two batters later, senior outfielder Rachel Wade (Canton) hit a shallow fly into center field for a RBI as Roney crossed home plate to get the Bulldogs within a run at 2-1.

Ferris State had one last opportunity in the top of the seventh and threatened to score as senior designated player Rhea Flores (Dearborn Heights/Southgate Anderson) started off with a single.  An out later, junior catcher Rachel Mueller (Santa Clarita, Calif./Valencia) singled up the middle of Eddy to put runners at first and second base for the Bulldogs.  Eddy was able to strikeout sophomore pinch-hitter Allison Webber (Frankfort) for the inning's second out.  Colleen Roney battled Eddy to a full count before belting a line shot to right centerfield which Timberwolves' outfielder Jamie Swick made a nice above the head catch to thwart the potential FSU comeback and end the game. 

Freshman pitcher Dana Bowler (Lockport, Ill.) suffered a tough loss for Ferris State as she struck out seven in six innings.  Bowler (6-8) gave up jut two hits and two runs (one earned) and issued three walks.  Northwood's Megan Eddy scattered five Bulldog hits while allowing an earned run and fanned three in seven innings of work in the circle.

Recording Ferris State's five hits in the outing with one apiece were Colleen Roney, Rachel Wade, freshman outfielder Morgan Kramerich (Crest Hill, Ill./Lockport), Rachel Mueller, and Rhea Flores.

The contest represented the second game of a conference doubleheader which had to be rescheduled from the April 6 date which was postponed due to rain and wet field conditions.

Ferris State will now be on the road for its final eight regular-season contests, starting this Saturday (April 24) with a GLIAC doubleheader against the Saginaw Valley State Cardinals in University Center, Mich.  Game one commences at 1 p.m. (EDT) with the second game to follow around 3 p.m. (EDT).