Ferris State Takes Day One Split At Bearcat Classic In Illinois

Big Rapids, Mich. - The Ferris State University softball squad earned a split in day one action on Friday (Feb. 27) at the Bearcat Classic in Illinois, earning a victory in the opener against Kentucky Wesleyan before falling to nationally 11th-ranked Indianapolis in the finale.

FSU took game one over Kentucky Wesleyan in Marion, Ill., beating the opponent in convincing fashion by a 10-3 score. However, the Greyhounds then snapped FSU's six-game winning streak with a 7-0 triumph in the finale.

The two games marked the first of five contests for Ferris State in the event.

In game one, right fielder Kennedy Wangler had three hits for the Bulldogs while left fielder Breanna Blair came up with two and knocked in two runs. Both also tripled in the game and Sophia Helm had a double for the Bulldogs.

Ferris State scored once in the first and twice in the second to take the early lead. After KWC tied the game up in the bottom of the second, the Bulldogs took control and scored three times in the fourth, once in the fifth and three more in the seventh to put the game away. FSU had 10 hits overall and only gave up four while also benefiting from five KWC errors.

Along with Blair, Alexis Kozlowski had two RBI's while Jayden Marlatt, Jadyn Joseph and Wangler all drove in a run.

FSU's Sally Leask threw four innings and did not give up an earned run on three hits with five strikeouts and a walk. Addison Gillard tossed three frames and did not allow a run, giving up a single hit with one walk.

In game two, Indianapolis limited FSU to only three hits overall while pounding out 13 of their own. UIndy scored twice in the second along with the third and fourth innings and added a single run in the seventh while keeping FSU off the board.

Outfielder Ava Gardner had two of Ferris State's three hits and Ella McDonald came up with one.

Katie Shuboy pitched all seven innings for FSU and allowed seven runs on 13 hits with two walks and a strikeout.

The Bulldogs, who are now 8-6 overall, will play two more games on Saturday (Feb. 28) at the Bearcat Classic versus Missouri-St. Louis and McKendree at 1:30 p.m. (ET) and 4 p.m. (ET), respectively.