Ferris State Softball Continues Strong Play In Florida With Non-League Split

Big Rapids, Mich. - The Ferris State University softball team notched a split on Wednesday (March 2) as the Bulldogs continued non-leauge play with an evening twinbill against Embry-Riddle in Daytona Beach, Fla.

The Bulldogs had their four-game win streak halted in game one of the doubleheader at the ERU Softball Stadium as Embry-Riddle scored three times in the first inning en route to a 6-1 victory.

However, in game two, the Bulldogs responded in a big way by topping the hosts 10-1 in decisive fashion as the contest went only five innings.

In the opener, Embry-Riddle jumped out to the early lead and then added two runs in the fifth and one more in the sixth to open up a 6-0 advantage. FSU produced a single run in the seventh, but came up short in the setback as ERU outhit the Bulldogs 8-5 in the contest.

FSU's Hannah Leppek suffered the pitching loss after allowing three runs on five hits in four innings of work. She struck out five before giving way to Megan Jean, who tossed two innings and allowed three runs on three hits with a single K.

Third baseman Bailey Darwin and center fielder Alexx Astorga both had two hits for the Bulldogs with Darwin recording a double. Alexis Hongisto drove in the Bulldogs' lone run as Embry-Riddle pitcher Kassidy Simons improved to 4-1 overall with six strikeouts in six full innings of action.

In the nightcap, the Bulldogs put the first runs on the board in the top half of the third following two scoreless innings. FSU scored twice in the third and added three more runs in the fourth and five in the fifth to bolt out to a 10-run advantage. ERU scored its lone run in the bottom of the fifth before FSU closed the door and picked up the short-inning victory.

The victory went to Ferris State's Sam Bates, who threw all five innings and gave up only a single run on one hit with a walk and one strikeout. ERU's Robi Zimmerman suffered the loss by allowing two runs on three hits with Raquelli Bianco giving up eight runs on six hits in two innings of relief.

Designated player Casey Bias tallied three hits to lead FSU's hit parade. FSU had nine hits overall with Astorga, Darwin, catcher Emily Reed and second baseman Michelle Tononi all notching one hit and shortstop Sarah Johnson pickup up two. Bias homered and doubled for FSU with Tononi also recording a two-bagger.

Offensively, Bias had five RBI's with Darwin driving in a pair of runs for the Bulldogs.

With the split, Ferris State improved ot 6-2 overall this season while Embry-Riddle moved to 12-6 on the year.

The Bulldogs will have their first off day of the season on Thursday before returning to competition at The Spring Games in Clermont on Friday (March 4). FSU will face Cedarville (Ohio) at 5 p.m. (ET) followed by a contest against Nyack in the nightcap beginning at 7 p.m. (ET).