Bulldogs Come Out On Short End Of Scoreboard In Two-Game Home Set Versus Davenport

Highlights & Postgame Interview 

Big Rapids, Mich. - The Ferris State University softball squad suffered a pair of Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) home setbacks to West Michigan foe Davenport on Friday (April 15) under cold and windy conditions at the FSU Softball Field.

DU posted an 8-3 win in the opener and capped the sweep with a 6-3 triumph in the nightcap in the second twin bill between the two league opponents this year.

In the opener, Davenport catcher Alexis Koza hit a three-run homer in the first as the Panthers grabbed the early lead. DU added insurance runs in the second and third innings while building a 5-1 edge thru four frames before adding two runs in the fifth. FSU cut the lead down with single runs in the sixth and seventh, but could get no closer, stranding a total of 13 runners on base in the setback.

Ferris State pounded out 12 hits, including three from centerfielder Paige Kortz. Shortstop Kacey Bouche added pair of hits with pinch hitter Kaitlyn Fick recording a double in the game. Kylie Winkles, Evelyn Blood and Maddie Gkekas all drove in runs for FSU.

Freshman Kristina Baar started the game and allowed three runs on two hits with a walk and a strikeout before giving way to Kristie Gray. She pitched the final six innings and surrendered five earned runs on 11 hits with four walks. DU's Emma Miller picked up the win, giving up only three earned runs on 12 hits with three walks and two K's in going the distance.

In game two, DU again struck early by scoring a single run in the first and four more in the second for an early 5-0 lead. FSU scored in the third, but the Panthers answered in the fourth and the 6-1 lead held up until the seventh. The Bulldogs scored twice in their final at-bat, however Davenport held off FSU for the win, posting 16 hits to seven for Ferris State.

Blood had three hits and two RBI's to lead FSU in game two with third baseman Amara Zukowski registering a double. Kortz also drove in a run.

For Ferris State, sophomore Aryn Gallacher pitched all seven innings of work, allowing six earned runs on 16 hits with two walks and two strikeouts. Ellie Muilenburg picked up the win and gave up only three earned runs on seven hits. She also struck out 10 and walked three.

Koza led DU at the plate on the afternoon, going six-for-10 with a home run and 10 RBI's in the two games.

Ferris State's scheduled GLIAC home doubleheader against rival Grand Valley State on Saturday has been postponed and will be moved to Thursday, April 21, starting at 3:30 p.m. (ET) and 5:30 p.m. (ET) for games one and two, respectively, at the FSU Softball Field.

Prior to the rescheduled matchup with the Lakers, the Bulldogs will first host Northwood on Wednesday (April 20) in a conference double dip with the opening game beginning at 2:30 p.m. (ET) and game two to follow at approximately 4:30 p.m. (ET) in Big Rapids.