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Ferris State Softball Opens GLIAC Play With First Home Action In Nearly Two Years

Ferris State Softball Opens GLIAC Play With First Home Action In Nearly Two Years

Postgame Highlights & Interview Video

Big Rapids, Mich. - For the first time in nearly two years, the Ferris State University softball squad played at home as the Bulldogs battled the Northwood Timberwolves in Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) play on Wednesday (March 24) at the FSU Softball Field in Big Rapids.

The Bulldogs, who did not play a home game prior to the start of the COVID-19 pandemic in the shortened 2020 campaign, opened league play with a twinbill against the Timberwolves, but came out on the short end of 7-2 and 6-2 decisions in two contests.

Ferris State also unveiled its recent upgrades to the FSU Softball Field, playing its first two games on a new synthetic turf infield installed this past fall as part of a renovation project.

While windy weather impacted conditions, the Bulldogs also faced the task of taking on a Northwood team that improved to 10-2 overall this year with the two wins. The Bulldogs fell to 7-5 on the year.

In the opener, Northwood scored the game's initial run in the first and added two more in the third in building a 3-0 lead. FSU pulled back within a run by scoring twice in the bottom of the fourth, but the Timberwolves answered with two more runs in both the fifth and sixth innings to account for the final margin. NU held a slim 8-7 edge in total hits.

Designated player Justice Ruggles and second baseman Jessica Tucci both and two hits apiece in leading the Bulldogs while Ruggles drove in both runs for FSU. She doubled in the game and both Kylie Winkels along with Kaitlyn Orme scored runs for the Bulldogs.

In the circle, freshman Mckenzie Cleland got the start and hurled the first two innings before leaving the game due to injury. She allowed only a single run on two hits. Kaitlyn Nugent came on for her first action of the year and allowed four earned runs on six hits with three walks in five innings of action. NU's Shayna Frank got the win, giving up two runs on seven hits with 14 strikeouts and a single walk in seven innings.

In game two, the Timberwolves started strong, scoring twice in the first and once more in the second for a 3-0 edge again. The next three innings went scoreless before the Timberwolves increased the lead to 6-0 with three runs in the sixth. FSU was able to put two runs on the board in the seventh, but could get no closer. Overall, Northwood had 11 hits compared to seven for Ferris State.

Six different Bulldog players had hits in the nightcap with centerfielder Paige Kortz accounting for two hits in leading FSU. Pitch hitter Evelyn Blood came on in the seventh and produced two RBI's on a triple to the left field to account for both of FSU's runs.

The Bulldogs' Kristie Gray tossed the first six innings of the second game, allowing six runs on six hits with three walks. Aryn Gallacher tossed the final inning and did not allow a run or a hit.

Ferris State will continue GLIAC play on the road this Saturday, March 27, as FSU is slated to visit rival Grand Valley State for an afternoon doubleheader in Allendale. First pitch for game one is scheduled for 1 p.m. (ET) with the finale at 3 p.m. (ET).