Ferris State Falls In Two Opening Day Contests At Music City Invitational

Big Rapids, Mich. - The Ferris State University softball team opened the 2022 season on Friday (Feb. 18) at the Music City Invitational, but came out on the short end of a pair of regional decisions against strong competition in Smyrna, Tenn.

The Bulldogs fell to Lindenwood 6-0 in the opener and then suffered a 8-0 setback to nationally 12th-ranked Indianapolis in five innings in game two on opening day. The action was FSU's first outdoor competition since last fall.

In the opener, the Bulldogs battled the Lions scoreless thru the first three innings before Lindenwood put three runs on the board in the bottom of the fourth. They added three more in the sixth to account for the final margin.

Overall, Lindenwood held a 10-1 margin in total hits to claim the win despite the fact FSU had only one error in the game. FSU's lone hit came from Kylie Winkels on a triple.

McKenzie Cleland earned the start in the opener and toss three and one-thirds of an inning, allowing three runs on six hits with two walks. Senior Kristie Gray pitched in relief and gave up three runs on four hits with two walks and two strikeouts in two and two-thirds of an inning.

In game two, Indianapolis scored five times in the second along with twice in the third and once in the fourth to hand FSU a defeat. The Greyhounds notched eight hits and limited FSU to a single hit in the game, which came off the stick of senior centerfielder Paige Kortz. She also drew a walk and stole two bases.

FSU's Aryn Gallacher threw two innings of action while giving up four earned runs on four hits with a walk. Freshman Kristina Baar threw three innings in the circle and surrendered three runs on four hits with four walks and two K's.

The Bulldogs will continue action at the Music City Invitational near Nashville on Saturday (Feb. 19) versus Rockhurst (Mo.) at 12 p.m. (ET) before facing McKendree (Ill.) in a 2 p.m. (ET) regional contest.