Ferris State Bats Explode In 10-3 Conference Road Win

The Ferris State University softball team rebounded in convincing fashion from its Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) doubleheader opening loss to Northwood this Wednesday (April 6) as the Bulldogs pounded out a season-high 15 hits to earn a 10-3 victory in the nightcap at NU's Fisher Stadium in Midland, Mich.

The Bulldogs' racked up four doubles and two home runs to back freshman pitcher Amy Dunleavy (Canton) in the second-game decision, which was highlighted by a double-digit runs output for the second time this spring.

Ferris State quickly gained the advantage as the Bulldogs erupted for three runs in the bottom of the first inning as a result of four hits.  Senior outfielder Colleen Roney (Wheaton, Ill./Glen Ellyn Glenbard South) singled with one out and junior third baseman Makenzi Peterson (Big Rapids) followed with a double.  Both would score after junior first baseman Chelsea Morris (Jenison) smacked a two-run double down the left field line off Timberwolves' pitcher Lindsey Martin.  Junior outfielder Stephanie Dusendang (Comstock Park/Rockford) followed Morris by driving a Martin offering to center field for a RBI double, which scored Morris for the Bulldogs' third run of the inning. 

Northwood came back with a run apiece in the next two innings, but Ferris State would net two runs in the bottom of third to go up 5-2.  Senior shortstop Lynsay Weaver (Bay City/All Saints) generated the two runs by belting her third home run of the season with a two-run shot over the left field fence. 

The Bulldogs, who outhit the Timberwolves 15-6 in the contest, tallied five runs in the bottom of the fifth inning by totaling five hits.  Ferris played long ball once more as sophomore designated player Lindsey Pettit (Portland) smacked a two-run homer to center field for her first of the campaign to score both her and senior catcher Rachel Mueller (Milford/Santa Clarita, Calif. Valencia), who doubled to lead off the inning.  A two-run single by Chelsea Morris and a RBI single off the bat of Lynsay Weaver accounted for the other three FSU runs.  

All nine of the Bulldogs' batters recorded at least a base hit with Makenzi Peterson's three hits in four at bats leading the way.  Chelsea Morris, Stephanie Dusendang, Lynsay Weaver, and Lindsey Pettit all posted two hits each.  Morris generated four RBIs in the contest while Weaver knocked in three runs to support Amy Dunleavy (3-8), who went the distance and struck out two batters. 

Ferris State, which improves its overall record to 9-13 and 6-4 in the GLIAC's North Division, is scheduled to host Lake Superior State this Friday (April 8) at the FSU Varsity Softball Field in Big Rapids, Mich.  The doubleheader, which is a rescheduled twinbill from last Sunday (April 3), will get underway at 3:30 p.m. (EDT) with game one and the second game to follow around 5:30 p.m. (EDT).

Notes: Chelsea Morris' team-high five multiple-RBI games marks a career best, surpassing her three multi-RBI outings in 2010 . . . Makenzi Peterson continues on hitting tear by posting her squad-leading seventh multi-hit game effort.  Peterson is hitting for a .526 average (10-19) in her last five outings . . . Ferris State's 10 runs were the second-highest total this spring, trailing an 11-run outburst against Southern Indiana (March 5) in a Florida Rebel Spring Games Tournament tilt.