Bulldogs Wins First Home Game In Twinbill

Big Rapids, Mich. - The Ferris State University softball team exploded for seven runs in the bottom half of the sixth inning to break a scoreless tie en route to a 7-0 win over Aquinas in game one of a doubleheader on Monday (March 19) afternoon at the FSU Softball Field.

The Bulldogs picked up the win in their 2012 home opener by recording 11 hits against the Saints under warm and sunny conditions in Big Rapids.

Junior pitcher Dana Bowler hurled a three-hit shutout for the Bulldogs in the first of two games on the afternoon.  She struck out five and walked two in throwing all seven innings.
The Bulldogs received two-hit performances at the plate from senior third baseman Makenzi Peterson, junior outfielder Morgan Kramerich and senior outfielder Stephanie Dusendang at the top three spots in the lineup.  

Both Dusendang and junior second baseman Lainee Clay drove in two runs each with Clay recording a double in the contest.

Neither team was able to score in the initial five innings before FSU finally broke the deadlock in the bottom of the sixth frame.

In the sixth, Dusendang and junior designated player Lindsey Pettit singled before junior catcher Liz Hamming drove in a run with a single down the right field line. A single from pinch hitter Amy Dunleavy scored another run and Clay followed with a double to center field to score two more.

The inning continued for the Bulldogs as FSU tacked on three additional runs to take control of the contest.

Ashley White pitched five and two-thirds innings for Aquinas and allowed all seven runs on seven hits with four strikeouts and two walks.  Rebecca Shineldecker hurled the final one-third inning and walked one for the Saints.

Offensivley, Lindsey Stewart, Sam Klinkner and Ashley Milheim all had one hit each for the visitors.

Ferris State finished with seven runners left on base while the Saints left four on the bags.