Bulldogs Eliminated From GLIAC Softball Tournament

The 2011 season for the Ferris State University softball team came to an end late Saturday (May 7) afternoon Ashland scored three first-inning runs en route to a 3-0 victory over the Bulldogs in 2011 Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) Softball Tournament play at Northwood University's Fisher Stadium in Midland, Mich.

The loss eliminated Ferris State from the GLIAC Tournament and ended FSU's season with a 24-23 record.  Ashland (32-16) advances to this Sunday's (May 8) GLIAC Tournament Championship game to face undefeated Tiffin in the double-elimination tourney at the Saginaw Valley State University Softball Field in University Center, Mich.

Emilyn Knerem tossed the shutout for Ashland, allowing just four hits while fanning seven.  Sophomore pitcher Dana Bowler (Lockport, Ill.), who fell to 17-11 this spring, allowed seven hits while giving up one earned run.  She fanned two and walked two apiece.

An one-out RBI single by Alyssa Kelley put the Eagles up 1-0 in the bottom half of the first inning and an infield Bulldog error resulted in the contest's second score.  Ashland tacked on one more run in the first when Tawna Garver's double to center field gave the Eagles a 3-0 cushion. 

Ferris State's threatened to score in the third when senior catcher Rachel Mueller (Milford/Santa Clarita, Calif. Valencia) doubled to leadoff the inning, but was left stranded.  The next scoring oppportunity would come in the seventh inning as sophomore designated player Lindsey Pettit (Portland) belted an Emlyn Knerem's pitch to the center field wall for a two-base hit.  A force out rundown off Pettit on junior outfielder Stephanie Dusendang's (Comstock Park/Rockford) fielder's choice and a pop up off the bat by senior shortstop Lynsay Weaver (Bay City/All Saints) to AU's third baseman Alyssa Kelley completed the season for the Bulldogs.

Despite the loss, Ferris State experienced late season success as the Bulldogs won eight of their last 11 outings which included prevailing in five of their final seven appearances on the diamond.

The careers of three Ferris State seniors came to an end as Rachel Mueller, Lynsay Weaver, and outfielder Colleen Roney (Wheaton, Ill./Glen Ellyn Glenbard South) played in their final game for the Crimson and Gold.