Ferris State Falls In Pair Of Three-Run Games At #19 GVSU

Big Rapids, Mich. - The Ferris State University softball squad battled nationally 19th-ranked rival Grand Valley State in a pair of games on Saturday (March 27) that were both decided by three runs in Allendale.

The Lakers built an early lead in the opening game and held a six-run advantage before FSU cut the margin half in a 6-3 setback. In the nightcap, GVSU used a big fifth inning to before the Bulldogs answered with three of their own in the seventh, but it wasn't enough as the Lakers prevailed by a 9-6 count.

Ferris State was outhit 15-9 in the opening game with center fielder Paige Kortz and third baseman Amara Zukowski both accounting for two hits each in leading FSU at the plate. Outfielder Abby Mitchell had two RBI's for the Bulldogs with first baseman Kaitlyn Orme totaling one RBI. Both Mitchell and Justice Ruggles doubled for FSU.

In the circle, Kristie Gray tossed one and two-thirds innings in the setback, giving up four earned runs on eight hits with a strikeout. Aryn Gallacher pitched four and one-third innings and gave up only two runs on seven hits.

In game two, the Bulldogs totaled five hits compared to 10 on the GVSU side. Right fielder Kylie Winkels had two hits for FSU with Kortz and Zukowski both totaling one hit apiece. Zukowski doubled and drove in three runs while Winkels registered two RBI's and homered in the game. Ruggles also accounted for a run batted in.

FSU's Kaitlyn Nugent allowed nine runs on nine hits with two strikeouts and a walk in five and one-third innings of work. Gallacher tossed two-thirds of an inning and gave up only a single hit.

Ferris State will be back in action on home on Friday, April 2, versus Saginaw Valley State at the FSU Softball Field. First pitch for game one is slated for 2 p.m. (ET) with the second game scheduled for a 4 p.m. (ET) start.