Future Bulldog Player DeLange Showing Her Skills She Will Bring To Ferris

Ferris State University appears bound to get another jewel in Plainfield Central pitcher Cara DeLange, a native of Plainfield, Ill., who has already committed to head coach Keri Becker's program.

Meanwhile, in 6 innings, Ferris State-bound senior pitcher Cara DeLange (19-4) struck out 11 and allowed 6 hits, 2 walks and 3 runs, all unearned. Neuqua Valley (25-10) didn't need the help, but a brief boost arrived in the fateful fourth.

Here is another comment from DeLange near the end of the article published by the Herald-News following the Class 4A Plainfield Central Regional championship game:

Said DeLange: "The seniors wanted to have the best season we could, and we'll always remember this. But there's a lot of talent on this team, and I have high hopes. They are going to surprise people next year."

Ferris is looking forward to having DeLange in the crimson and gold as soon as possible as the state of Illinois has been good to the Bulldogs in recent years (last year, Ferris had a pair of freshman from Illinois perform well in pitcher Dana Bowler and outfielder Morgan Kramerich).

Here is the full story: http://www.suburbanchicagonews.com/heraldnews/sports/2331664,4_2_JO29_BILLCOL_S1-100529.article

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Former Bulldog Jager Enjoying Her Experience Coaching In High School

BIG RAPIDS - Amanda Jager was a hard-nosed competitor who expected the most out of herself every time she stepped to the plate during her softball career at Ferris State University.

The numbers do not lie in the evaluation of Jager as a college softball player. With a career batting average of .312 (tied for 10th all time in Ferris State history), Jager, a Kalamazoo native who prepped at Comstock High School, enjoyed a strong career playing for the Bulldogs on the diamond. Jager has used her experiences (and others) in the next phase of her softball career - as an assistant varsity coach at Big Rapids High School for head coach Jamie Bechaz.

"They needed some help rebuilding programs and getting some insight and to have someone to push them a little harder and someone who was recently a player coming from a higher level of softball to come in and teach them new things from what I've learned," Jager said. "I have been all over the place. I've been doing pitching workouts with the pitchers, catching workouts with the catchers and I've been working with outfield and the infield having them do specific drills and focusing a lot on fundamentals. Making sure they have good mechanics and good fundamentals."

Jager, an All-GLIAC and all-region player during her career, ranks third all time on the Ferris list of career hitters (.516), first all time in on-base percentage (.434), eighth in doubles (35), third in home runs (17) and on and on the list goes for one of the more accomplished offensive players in Bulldog softball history.

One of the benefits of having a Division II university in Big Rapids, the size of Ferris, is a resource that sometimes makes talented young coaches available to get their start. In many ways, it's a mutually beneficial relationship that also works for the younger kids at Big Rapids to have college student-athletes taking interest in helping them learn and grow.

Jager is enjoying the experience working with the Cardinals as a varsity assistant.

"They're a great group of girls. They're a good group that really wants to learn and get better," said Jager, who was encouraged by Bechaz and by former BRHS varsity head coach and current Ferris assistant softball coach Dawn Thompson. "It's fun teaching them and they are very hard-working kids."

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Bulldogs Top Cardinals 2-0 To Complete Sweep

UNIVERSITY CENTER - It was a much-needed softball sweep.

Ferris State University finished off a sweep of nationally-ranked Saginaw Valley State University on Saturday afternoon with a 2-0 win over the Cardinals.

Due to some technical difficulties, I am having trouble accessing the statistics from the game, but the Bulldogs of head coach Keri Becker did pull off an important sweep of the Cardinals in University Center.

Coming into this weekend, the Bulldogs figured to need to at least win a couple of games against two tough opponents (the second tough opponent is Wayne State University, another nationally-ranked team on Sunday).

Now, Ferris is in a position to win all four or three out of four which would strengthen their profile for the conference tournament and the NCAA Tournament.

A lot of softball season remains, against some tough opponents, but the Bulldogs helped themselves immensely with their wins on Saturday at Saginaw Valley.

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It's Still Early In The Race, But Ferris Needs To Be Road Warriors

Ferris State third baseman Makenzi Peterson puts the squeeze on a ball as she attempts to get an out against a sliding Saginaw Valley State runner. (Photo/Sandy Gholston)

BIG RAPIDS - It's still early in the race for the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference, but not too early to begin to track initial trends.

The early returns are somewhat interesting. Saginaw Valley State is the GLIAC leader at 6-0 entering the week (April 5). That is no surprise. Grand Valley State is 5-1. That is not a huge surprise. Ashland already has played 10 games and is 8-2. That also is no big surprise as the Eagles were expected to contend for the GLIAC championships and NCAA post-season action. Right now, the upper division of the league includes Northwood at 4-1. Wayne State is the fifth team with a winning conference record so far at 4-2.

Ferris State is 2-3 in league play with two of its three losses coming against Saginaw Valley and one coming against Northwood (game two of Saturday's series was made out and likely will be rescheduled at some point). Head coach Keri Becker's Bulldogs know this race will be an especially tight one from start to finish.

The early results this spring appear indicative of a conference race that will be hard fought from start to finish.

Having lost three games at home already, the Bulldogs need to go on the road and steal some victories while protecting their home diamond from here on out.

Ferris is scheduled to play in Midland at Northwood on Tuesday and that is as good a place as any to get started with some road success.

GLIAC Softball Standings (entering April 5)

Team	GLIAC	ALL
Saginaw Valley	6-0	19-2
Grand Valley St.	5-1	17-9
Ashland	8-2	18-6
Northwood	4-1	12-10
Wayne St.	4-2	26-7
Ferris St.	2-3	11-10
Tiffin	2-4	14-10
Findlay	1-5	11-17
Hillsdale	1-7	6-14
Lake Superior St.	0-8	5-25

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Northwood 5, Ferris State 0

BIG RAPIDS - Before the first pitch was thrown, on Saturday, the weather forecast and the sky both looked ominous.

Ferris State University and Northwood University started their Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference softball doubleheader a little early, but still was unable to squeeze in a full doubleheader Saturday afternoon at the FSU Softball Field in Big Rapids. The Bulldogs and the Timberwolves battled the rain and finished the first contest, won 5-0 by Northwood. In spite of valiant efforts to rehabilitate the field, the teams were unable to even start the second game (which eventually was called off due to rain).

The Bulldogs again struggled to hit the ball as they managed just three hits against Northwood pitching. Megan Eddy got the win for the Timberwolves as she threw all seven innings, allowed the three hits, walked two and struck out five on Saturday. First baseman Chelsea Morris, third baseman Makenzi Peterson and right fielder Colleen Roney each had a hit for the Bulldogs, who struggled to solve Eddy.

In many ways, the game resembled what happened to the Bulldogs against Saginaw Valley State University. Against Northwood, several players hit the ball very hard, but right at people (to be recorded as outs). Saturday's loss dropped Ferris to 11-10 overall and 2-3 in GLIAC competition as it prepared to go on the road early next week.

For the Bulldogs, Kayle Stevenson took the loss as she dropped to 4-5 on the season. Stevenson pitched seven innings, allowed four hits, five runs (four earned), issued five walks and struck out seven. Northwood got off to a good start in the first inning by drawing two walks, playing good small ball and then getting a big hit (a three-RBI double from third baseman Michelle Boscola) when it was needed to post three runs in the top of the first inning.

Ferris will not have to wait long to face Northwood again. The teams play in a doubleheader on Tuesday in Midland at NU's Fisher Stadium. Game one begins at 3:30 p.m. while the second contest will begin at about 5:30 p.m.

Photo by Sandy Gholston

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Ferris Sweeps Lake Superior State

Ferris State's Lynsay Weaver gets an out at second base during Friday afternoon's home games at the FSU Softball Field against Lake Superior State. (Photo/Sandy Gholston)

BIG RAPIDS - After struggling to string together hits in a pair of losses to 14th-ranked Saginaw Valley State University, Ferris State University had no such troubles on Friday afternoon in softball action against Lake Superior State University.

The Bulldogs pounded out 12 hits in game one and eight more in game two as they rolled to wins of 7-0 and 6-5 over the visiting Lakers in Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference action at the FSU Softball Field. After struggling to string together hits in the two losses to the Cardinals, on Wednesday, Ferris head coach Keri Becker went to work with her assistant coaches (Lesa Bickley, Dawn Thompson and Jeannine Ravellette) to shake things up a little bit.

"We needed to do something to help them mentally. For most of them it wasn't a mechanical thing," Becker said as her team improved to 11-9 overall and 2-2 in the GLIAC standings. "So, we adjusted our practice that way and we put some pressure on them and still got a lot of reps to get a good feel."

In game one, the eight hits could hardly have been more balanced. Accounting for the eight hits were: Rachel Wade, Morgan Kramerich, Rachel Mueller, Rhea Flores, Chelsea Morris, Makenzi Peterson, Stephanie Dusendang and Amanda Harrington. Mueller had a two-RBI double and also with RBIs were Wade, Peterson, Dusendang and Harrington.

In game two, Ferris continued to hit the ball well. Wade had three hits (including a double) and two RBI, Mueller had a hit, Flores had two hits, Lindsey Pettit had a hit, Peterson had two doubles and an RBI, Harrington had two hits (including a triple) and three RBI, and Colleen Roney had a hit.

"The other thing we worked on was pitch selection," Becker said. "For some of them, that was an issue. Those two things we worked on Thursday and I saw a good result (on Friday) not only with their pitch selection, but also with their confidence."

In game one, Kayle Stevenson was the winning pitcher as she struck out seven and walked one in seven innings to improve to 4-5. In game two, Flores moved to 4-0 as she pitched six innings and struck out five. Dana Bowler came in and earned her second save of the season as she tossed one inning and struck out one.

The Bulldogs are scheduled to host Northwood University on Saturday in a doubleheader that starts at 1 p.m.

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Ferris Drops Two Games To No. 14 Saginaw Valley

Ferris State's Amanda Harrington slides into third base during Wednesday afternoon's game against No. 14 Saginaw Valley State University at the FSU Softball Field in Big Rapids. (Photo/Sandy Gholston)

BIG RAPIDS - The box scores for Wednesday afternoon's Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference softball games show nine hits in two games for Ferris State University against No. 14 Saginaw Valley State University.

But, the Bulldogs of head coach Keri Becker had a hard time stringing together hits to put runs on the scoreboard against the visiting Cardinals and ultimately were swept by scores of 2-0 and 4-1 at the FSU Softball Field in the GLIAC openers for both teams. Throughout the game, Becker encouraged her team to be a little more selective at the plate, to wait on good pitches and then drive them to spots on the field. But, Ferris had a tough time stringing those hits together against Saginaw Valley's pitchers.

In the first game of the afternoon, the Bulldogs were held scoreless on four hits against SVSU pitcher Jade Fulton (7-1 on the season), who was superb with seven strikeouts and only one walk. Accounting for the Ferris hits were freshman left fielder Morgan Kramerich, junior shortstop Lynsay Weaver, sophomore third baseman Makenzi Peterson and senior second baseman Amanda Harrington.

In the circle, senior pitcher Kayle Stevenson took the loss for the Bulldogs as she dropped to 3-5 on the season. Stevenson threw all seven innings, allowed nine hits, two runs (both earned), walked one and struck out one. The run support was not there for Stevenson, who surrendered just the two runs (both of which were scored in the third inning).

In game two, the Bulldogs drew first blood as Rhea Flores picked up an RBI as she grounded out to score Kramerich (who reached on a single up the middle).

The Cardinals, however, responded with two runs in the bottom of the second and two more in the bottom of the fourth to take command of the game.

Freshman pitcher Dana Bowler took the loss for the Bulldogs as her record fell to 3-4 on the season. She threw six innings, allowed six hits, four runs (all earned), two walks, struck out three and was charged with two wild pitches. Kari Bowlby earned the win for SVSU as she improved to 6-0 on the season.

Again, the Bulldogs had trouble mustering run support. Ferris had five hits (three of which were from Kramerich, who had a solid afternoon). Flores and Peterson had the other two hits.

Ferris, now 9-9 on the season, hosts Lake Superior Sate University on Friday in a doubleheader with the first game to begin at 3:30 p.m.

Game one box score
Game two box score

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Ferris Begins Florida Trip Today With Two Games

The Ferris State University softball team resumes its season today in Florida with a pair of games to open competition in the Rebel Spring Games in Kissimmee, Fla.

The trip to Florida generally is a tough one for the Bulldogs. Perhaps, however, the season-opening trip to Alabama has eased the transition for the Bulldogs into competition they will face during the next week-plus in the Sunshine State.

Here is the schedule for the Bulldogs of head coach Keri Becker today in the Rebel Spring Games. First up, Ferris faces an old rival in former Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference member Gannon University before taking on North Dakota-based Mary in an early-afternoon contest in central Florida led by standouts such as shortstop Lynsay Weaver (pictured).

3/6/10

Softball

Ferris State
Gannon (Pa.)

11:00 AM

@ Kissimmee, Fla.
Florida Rebel Spring Tournament

3/6/10
Softball

Mary (N.D.)
Ferris State

1:00 PM

@ Kissimmee, Fla.
Florida Rebel Spring Tournament

These should be interesting games to see if the Bulldogs can get off to a nice start in Florida and return to Michigan with a record well above 500.

The Bulldogs (2-4 this season so far) will play 14 games in seven days (with a day off for relaxation).

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Preseason NFCA Poll Is Out And Ferris State University Picks Up Votes

BIG RAPIDS - From a weather standpoint, it may seem a little odd to be discussing college softball right now.

But, the National Fastpitch Coaches Association is already on the ball with the announcement of its 2010 NFCA Division II Preseason Poll.
Ferris State University, which finished with a record of 35-10 overall and qualified for the NCAA Division II Tournament, placed among "others receiving votes" in the poll. Head coach Keri Becker's squad has traditionally ranked among the top teams in the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference, the region and at times the nation.

2010 NFCA Division II Preseason Poll

Rank	Team	2009 Record
1	Alabama-Huntsville (14)	54-6
2	North Georgia	50-5
3	Winona St. (1)	50-13
4	Dixie St.	41-13
5	Indianapolis	37-21
6	Valdosta St.	57-8
7	Le Moyne	45-12
8	Missouri Western St.	47-12
9	California (Pa.)	35-10
10	Saginaw Valley	39-11
11	Humboldt St.	38-20
12	Nebraska-Omaha	45-17
13	S.C. Aiken	34-16
14	Kutztown	46-12-1
15	Nova Southeastern	49-15
16	Metro St.	40-12
17	Abilene Christian	43-15
18	C.W. Post	34-18
19	Angelo St.	50-10
20	Wayne St. (Mich.)	40-16
21	Wayne St. (Neb.)	41-21
22	West Texas A&M	35-21
23	Mesa St.	30-21
24	Carson-Newman	32-17
25	Lock Haven (1)	51-6

Others receiving votes:
Bloomsburg 46, Rollins 37, Caldwell 31, Georgia College 29, Cal St.-Monterey Bay 28, Hawaii Pacific 21, Georgian Court 19, St. Edward’s 16, Emporia St. 15, Ashland 10, Augustana (S.D.) 10, Ferris St. 8, Midwestern St. 6, Southwest Minn. St. 6, East Stroudsburg 3, Montana St.-Billings 3, NYIT 3, Concordia-St. Paul 2, Florida Southern 1, Lewis 1, Regis (Colo.) 1

Ferris is scheduled to open up its 2010 season on Feb. 19-21 at the Alabama-Huntsville's Charger Chillout in Decatur, Ala. The Bulldogs will play six games during the three-day tourney, beginning Feb. 19 against North Alabama at noon.

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Ferris Adds Two Pitchers To Roster For Next Season In Dunleavy And DeLange

BIG RAPIDS - Part of the cornerstone of success in college softball revolves around having great pitching (and great defense).

Ferris State University, looking to the future, has signed a couple of players who will get the ball from head coach Keri Becker in the years to come. Becker has announced the signings of Amy Dunleavy, a native of Canton in the Detroit area, and Cara DeLange, who comes to Big Rapids from Plainfield, Ill. The signings help Coach Becker strengthen and add depth to her pitching staff as she traditionally likes to have a number of pitchers she can go to on her roster. Dunleavy and DeLange will kick off their Ferris careers with Fall Ball action when they arrive on campus in the fall of 2010.

"Both Amy and Cara will keep Bulldog pitching strong for the next four years and maintain the great competitive tradition of Ferris State Softball," said Becker, is in her 13th season in the dugout for the Bulldogs and is the program's all-time winningest coach.

Becker also added that she thinks Dunleavy and DeLange can help Ferris have one of the best pitching staffs in the GLIAC in time. Traditionally, Ferris has sought to bring pitchers in and mold them over a year or so until they become strong GLIAC-level pitchers. Time will tell if that pattern holds true or if either of these two pitchers (or both) come in ready to deliver the goods right away. One thing is for sure: Coach Becker has a lot of confidence in her two new pitchers of the future.

For the full press release: http://www.ferrisstatebulldogs.com/sports/sball/2009-10/releases/2010recruits1

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Bulldogs Add Vasovski And Wittman To Recruiting Class For 2010

BIG RAPIDS - Ferris State University softball head coach Keri Becker was looking to strengthen her outfield and add versatility on the infield.

With the signings of Bianca Vasovski, a native of Farmington Hills, in the Detroit area, and Emily "Alex" Wittman, a native of St. Joseph, Becker was 2-for-2. In signings announced earlier, by Coach Becker, Ferris had already secured commitments from a pair of pitchers in Cara DeLange and Amy Dunleavy.

"I'm pleased again with another standout recruiting class," Becker said. "We needed to go find pitching, outfield and a utility player. We did just that with four outstanding people. Both Bianca and Alex bring a great deal of athleticism to the middle infield and outfield, respectively. They along with Amy and Cara will help us maintain the great competitive tradition of Ferris State Softball."

Becker, who has a long history of building strong college softball teams, feels Ferris has attracted a very good recruiting class to keep that tradition of good softball going.

Vasovski drew high praise from Becker who feels the Harrison High School standout can play just about anywhere in the field, is a hard-nosed defensive player and has the ability to swing a powerful bat. In Wittman, Ferris has a find in the outfield. College coaches are constantly on the lookout for speedy and capable outfielders and the Bulldogs feel they have found that in Wittman.

For the Ferris press release: http://www.ferrisstatebulldogs.com/sports/sball/2009-10/releases/2010recruitsII

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BLOG 42: Ferris' Fall Schedule Is Set

BIG RAPIDS - Ferris State University is hoping for a productive fall season of softball as it gears up for the spring season of 2010.

The Bulldogs will face some strong competition this fall, but that is precisely the way that head coach Keri Becker (pictured) has always liked it. Ferris will be in a tournament at Central Michigan University on Sept. 13, then it will be at Rockford High School (where former Bulldog player Casey (Munger) Dunham is the head varsity coach) on Sept. 27 and then will be at Eastern Michigan University on Oct. 4.

Check out the schedule for the Bulldogs (the fall 2009 version) below:

Sept. 13, 2009
vs. Northwood @ Mount Pleasant, Mich.
11 a.m.
Exhibition-Central Michigan Fall Tournament

Sept. 13, 2009
vs. Wayne State @ Mount Pleasant, Mich.
12:30 p.m.
Exhibition-Central Michigan Fall Tournament

Sept. 13, 2009
vs. Central Michigan @ Mount Pleasant, Mich.
3:30 p.m.
Exhibition-Central Michigan Fall Tournament

Sept. 27, 2009
vs. Aquinas @ Rockford, Mich.
11 a.m.
Exhibition-Rockford Fall Tournament

Sept. 27, 2009
vs. Jackson (Mich.) Community College @ Rockford, Mich.
1 p.m.
Exhibition-Rockford Fall Tournament

Sept. 27, 2009
vs. Siena Heights @ Rockford, Mich.
3 p.m.
Exhibition-Rockford Fall Tournament

Oct. 4, 2009
vs. Eastern Michigan @ Ypsilanti, Mich.
10 a.m.
Exhibition-Eastern Michigan Fall Invitational

Oct. 4, 2009
vs. Lansing (Mich.) Community College @ Ypsilanti, Mich.
2 p.m.
Exhibition-Eastern Michigan Fall Invitational

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Ferris’ season comes to an end

HOUSTON – The ending did was hardly the way Ferris State University would have written the script, but the Bulldogs’ Cinderella season finally came to an end.

In a battle of teams facing elimination, top-ranked Lock Haven scored once in the first, fifth and sixth innings to grab a 3-0 win against Ferris to end the Bulldogs’ season at the 2008 NCAA Division II Women’s Softball National Championships at Memorial Park on Friday afternoon. For a team not ranked nationally and just a No. 6 seed in its own region, entering NCAA Tournament play, the Bulldogs fell just a few wins shy of winning the sport’s ultimate prize – a national championship.

In spite of the loss, head coach Keri Becker was upbeat as she emphasized to her team the magnitude of its accomplishment this season – finishing fifth nationally.

“I’m extremely proud of the young ladies on this team. You hate to give a pep talk after a tough loss, like this one, but I wanted them to take the time to appreciate what they have accomplished this season,” said Becker, whose Bulldogs struggled against Lock Haven’s outstanding pitcher, Kristin Erb (seven innings, one hit and two walks). “They needed to take time to appreciate what they had accomplished and look toward the future and what they need to do to be able to get back to this point and maybe beyond this point.”

Offense, expected to be the team’s strength this year, was what let the Bulldogs down during nationals. Ferris managed just two runs (in a 2-0 win over Francis Marion in the opening round) in three games in Houston. Mathematically speaking, it’s challenging to win much scoring only two runs in three games.

“I really feel bad for three people,” said Becker, whose Bulldogs had their season end at the hands of the nation’s No. 1-ranked NCAA Division II team. “I feel bad for Katie (Kraai, Ferris’ lone senior) because we would have liked to have been able to do something to keep her season going for a little longer than we were able to. And, I also feel for our pitchers. I think Holly (Bruntjens) and Sarah (Mueller) have pitched well for us all season and they’ve kept us close in games and that’s all you can ask for from your pitchers. We just needed to give them some more runs for some more support.”

Still, it’s hard to feel too bad at the end of such a special season.

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Becker: A challenge has been issued

HOUSTON – Minutes after Ferris State University’s season came to an end at the NCAA Division II Softball National Championships, head coach Keri Becker brought her team together out beyond the left field fence at Memorial Park.

In that setting, following a 3-0 defeat to Lock Haven that ended Ferris’ season with a fifth-place showing at nationals, Becker challenged her team to build on the successes of the 2008 campaign. The Bulldogs, who finished with a record of 35-18, graduate senior third baseman Katie Kraai, but expect to return the bulk of their team intact with some new additions that will be blended in through recruiting.

“I challenged them (the players) to make it a point to work hard between now and next season to put themselves in a position to be able to get back here,” said Becker, whose Bulldogs fell to a Lock Haven squad ranked No. 1 in the nation. “We know we have the players coming back to be able to put ourselves back in this position and our players know the things that they have to get better at between now and then to get back here and to try to move even beyond what we were able to accomplish this season.”

The 2008 spring campaign was highlighted by Ferris’ first trip to nationals since making back-to-back appearances in 1998 and 1999.

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Becker focuses on positives with her shaken Bulldogs

HOUSTON – The season is not over yet, and Ferris State University’s softball team is out to prove it still has a little bite behind the bark.

The Bulldogs dropped to the loser’s bracket and will face Lock Haven at 12:30 p.m. on Friday afternoon. The winner plays at 5:30 p.m. while the loser’s season comes to an end. Ferris head softball coach Keri Becker, seeking to take a little bit of the pressure off her Bulldogs and remind them that softball is still fun, put a smile on her face. Becker’s reminder came in spite of the 1-0 loss to 22nd-ranked St. Edward’s in round two of the 2008 NCAA Division II Women’s Softball National Championships.

“I put a smile on my face and put my head high,” Becker said. “We have to start walking with a swagger, again, as if we’re winning and we have to come out and play with that kind of a high level of confidence. I asked (the players) if they were up to the challenge and I told them that if they believe in themselves they can still do this … they can still come back.”

Becker also reminded the team that it takes a total team effort to get it done. The offense dried up for Ferris and Becker knows her team needs to rediscover its strength at the plate to keep its season alive.

“I told them this is championship time and anything can happen,” she said. “We were living on borrowed time with all of these 1-0 games and eventually that’s going to come back to get you if you don’t produce more runs. Holly (Bruntjens, a junior who allowed only three hits and the one run) pitched a great game, but we can’t keep relying so much on our pitchers. Our offense has got to come back to life and give us some production.”

Even without the Giles’ home run, the Bulldogs could not have won without a score.

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Ferris State Shuts Out SIUE; Wins Regional Championship

EDWARDSVILLE, Ill. – Winning has fast made true believers out of the Ferris State University softball players, coaches, families, fans and opponents.

Entering last week, the Bulldogs had a feeling all roads leading to the 2008 NCAA Division II Great Lakes Regional Championship passed through defending regional and national champion Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville – literally and figuratively. With that in mind, Ferris proved dog tough with its pitching and defense, pushed just enough offense across the plate and earned the NCAA Division II Great Lakes Region Championship trophy with a 1-0 win over SIUE on its home turf, Cougar Field, Sunday afternoon.

To call it an emotional win would be an understatement.

“It means everything to me and it means everything to this team to be able to come here and win a regional championship against the great teams we had to beat to get this,” said junior Sarah Mueller, who was 1-for-3 with a run scored in the championship game. “This is something we wanted so badly and it feels so good to be able to do it the way we did it. … It’s truly what we wanted.”

Mueller’s statement was echoed by sophomore second baseman Amanda Harrington, “This is a big win for us and it puts us one step closer to achieving an even bigger goal.”

Ferris (34-16) got the job done sparked by junior pitcher Holly Bruntjens’ brilliant effort in the circle as she threw all seven innings, allowed just four hits, three walks and struck out six to improve her personal record to 15-8 this spring. Offensively, the Bulldogs claimed the lead right off the bat, in the first inning, as senior third baseman Katie Kraai’s sacrifice fly scored junior Sarah Mueller who reached on a single.

Facing one of the nation’s top pitchers, SIUE’s Kaitlin Colosimo, the Bulldogs figured runs would be difficult to come by and that certainly proved true. The ace of the Cougars’ staff allowed just five hits, one run (earned), three walks as she fanned five.

Unlike Colosimo, Bruntjens’ got just a little more help.

The combination of Bruntjens’ pitching and the Bulldogs’ defense shut down a potent SIUE lineup to turn back a couple of threats and preserve the team’s perfect streak of holding opponents scoreless in the regional through 36 innings. Ferris defeated Saginaw Valley State, 1-0; Lewis, 1-0 in 15 innings; Wayne State, 4-0; and Southern Illinois-Edwardsville, 1-0.

“It’s almost surreal to be in this position and I’m so very proud of these players for what they’ve been able to accomplish,” said Ferris head coach Keri Becker, who has led the program to three regional championships (1998, 1999 and 2008). “These players have played well throughout the week, they’ve battled weather elements and to be able to play at this kind of level throughout this tournament against this kind of competition says a lot about these players.”

Now, it’s onward to Houston, Texas where the Bulldogs begin competition in the NCAA Division II Softball National Championships. Ferris’ quest for a championship begins as it takes on Francis Marion in the first round of action on Wednesday.

“The great thing about being in this position is where seeing where our hard work has paid off and we want to keep it going,” said junior first baseman Amanda Jager.

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Ferris' Sarah Mueller Named To 2008 Louisville Slugger/NFCA Division II All-Region Team

EDWARDSVILLE, Ill. – Ferris State University senior softball standout player Sarah Mueller earned some well-deserved post-season recognition from the National Fastpitch Coaches Association as part of the 2008 Louisville Slugger/NFCA Division II All-Region team.

Mueller, a junior pitcher and utility player, earned 2008 All-Great Lakes Region Second Team honors for her efforts on the diamond – for her combined body of work as a pitcher, outfielder and standout hitter. Mueller becomes the second Bulldog to receive all-region accolades as she joins junior first baseman Amanda Jager who was recognized as a second-team all-region pick by Daktronics earlier this week.

Mueller, who has elevated her play of late as a hitter especially, is coming off a 2007 campaign during which she was named an All-American. She entered the Lewis winner’s bracket game on Friday hitting .324 through 45 games with 47 hits, 10 doubles, six triples, three home runs and 29 runs batted in. As a pitcher, Mueller entered Friday 14-6 with a 2.06 earned run average and 56 strikeouts. In the 1-0 win in 15 innings, over Lewis at the NCAA Division II Regional Tournament in Edwardsville, Ill. Mueller, now 15-6, earned the victory as she threw all 15 innings, allowed six hits, one walk and struck out five.

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Ferris Survives A Marathon; Records A Big Win

EDWARDSVILLE, Ill. – It was a marathon, but Ferris State University finally had the answer ... deep into the 15th inning in a game that evolved into a test of wills perhaps even more so than a test of skills.

Junior catcher Krystle Bailey – standing at the plate with the bases loaded – was the last of many heroes in truly a team-oriented victory in a winner’s bracket game of the 2008 NCAA Division II Great Lakes Region Tournament at Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville. Bailey, composed and disciplined, drew a walk with the bases loaded to earn the Bulldogs (32-15) a huge 1-0 win, in 15 innings, over Lewis University to remain unbeaten and in the winner’s bracket of the regional tournament.

“It’s a real big deal for us to be able to get this win and to stay in the winner’s bracket … It was a great team win and we really came out pumped up and ready to go,” said Bailey, who batted 1-for-5 with the all-important RBI in the 15th inning. “It was nice for us to be able to come out the way we did because we had to sit out all day Thursday (due to rain and games that had to be made up) and not have the chance to play. Even with the weather and everything we all stayed pumped up.”

After 14 and a half scoreless innings, Ferris finally benefited from a golden opportunity as Lewis committed two costly errors – on Bulldog bunts – to set the stage for Ferris’ win. After sophomore second baseman Amanda Harrington dropped a sacrifice bunt moved the runners and opened up first base, the Flyers chose to use a little strategy to try and cut down a runner at the plate. With two runners already on base, Lewis pulled its outfield in and elected to intentionally walk junior pitcher Sarah Mueller, to put Bailey in the position to make the play.

Ferris’ starting catcher worked the count and drew a walk on a pitch that was called a little high to leave the Bulldogs exhilarated and Lewis angry and frustrated at the close of a grueling contest.

“I knew I had to look for a good pitch, be patient and lay off of the high stuff,” Bailey said. “When the (home plate) umpire said “ball four” I was excited and the only thing I was thinking was to make sure I touched first since I knew we had it. This is just a huge win for us to keep this going.”

The Bulldogs face Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference rival Wayne State which remained alive in the winner’s bracket with a 2-1 win over Southern Illinois-Edwardsville late on Friday.

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Wade emerges after redshirt season for Bulldogs

EDWARDSVILLE, Ill. – Sitting on the sidelines, as a team member while not able to actually play in games, is hardly the easiest thing for a first-year college student-athlete.

Ferris State University redshirt freshman softball player Rachel Wade had to learn to master the physical and mental aspects of softball – at the college level – to be effective in her first true college season. No one promised it would be easy, but time has proven an effective teacher for Wade, who has paid dividends this spring for the Bulldogs. The Canton native has played in 36 of 47 games this season and started 32 times for Ferris.

“It feels nice to be able to come in and contribute to help the team in whatever way I can,” said Wade, who has helped the Bulldogs to a record of 31-16 overall after a 1-0 first-round 2008 NCAA Division II Great Lakes Region Tournament win over Saginaw Valley State in Edwardsville, Ill. “I was a little nervous in some of those earlier games of the season (in Florida) and as I had a chance to get out there a little bit more I started to feel a lot more relaxed and a lot more comfortable.”

The 5-foot-2 Wade and her teammates were triumphant in their opening-round game at the regional tournament before rain and thunderstorms began to wreak havoc at the event being hosted at Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville in Edwardsville, Ill. Although rain has wreaked havoc on the tournament, with play suspended on Wednesday due to heavy rain and then delayed on Thursday with more rain, softball once again is being played. Like fans, players, coaches and NCAA officials at the regional, Wade has come to understand and appreciate the value of patience.

“During the time I was sitting out, I learned a lot about softball and I learned a lot about what it takes to be successful from watching the team, the coaches, and just from watching and being around my teammates,” said Wade, who is batting .270 this spring with 20 hits, three doubles, two triples, 12 runs batted in and a home run. “It was tough to sit out, but I feel like I learned a lot and it has helped to make me a better softball player right now.”

Ferris head softball coach Keri Becker has watched and enjoyed Wade’s progress from the time she arrived in Big Rapids until now.

“Rachel provides some sneaky power and defense-busting capabilities from the left side of the plate,” Becker said in the preseason of Wade, who was an all-state second baseman during her junior year of high school before she batted .448 as a prep senior at Canton High School. “She will also shrink the Bulldog outfield with her ability to get a good jump off the bat and cover some ground in the grass.”

The Bulldogs, seeded sixth in the region, sprung a mild upset of No. 3 Saginaw Valley State 1-0 in the opening round. Weather permitting Friday morning, Ferris is scheduled to take on No. 2 Lewis, which defeated West Virginia Wesleyan 4-3 in eight innings of a rain-suspended contest at Cougar Field.

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Ferris, Officially, Is In The NCAA Tourney

BIG RAPIDS – As expected, Ferris State University’s softball team was awarded a bid to the NCAA Division II Softball Tournament for the second consecutive year as announced Sunday afternoon.

In spite of coming up short, in a bid to successfully move through the winner’s bracket or escape from the loser’s bracket at the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Tournament, the show goes on for the Bulldogs.

Ferris (30-16), co-regular season champions of the GLIAC (with Wayne State), is seeded sixth in the NCAA Division II Great Lakes Regional which will be hosted by No. 1 seed Southern Illinois-Edwardsville at Cougar Field in Edwardsville, Ill. The softball action is scheduled to begin Wednesday with the Bulldogs to take on a familiar foe: GLIAC rival Saginaw Valley State, the league’s tournament champion.

Defending NCAA Division II champion SIUE (45-9), winners of the Great Lakes Valley Conference Tournament, is seeded first in the region, Lewis (37-16) is second, Saginaw Valley (34-15) third, Wayne State (33-16) fourth, Indianapolis (37-26) fifth, Ferris sixth, West Virginia Wesleyan (50-18) seventh and West Virginia State (41-14) eighth.

In the end, there were not a whole lot of surprises as SIUE was one of the best and hottest teams in the nation by the end of the season and ultimately overtook a Lewis team that had occupied the top spot in the region much of the spring. SVSU’s hot play at the end of the spring, and two wins over Wayne State in the GLIAC Tournament (including one in the championship game), elevated the Cardinals past the Warriors. Indianapolis has been steady and holds solid at fifth while the Bulldogs did not budge from the sixth. An upset victory by West Virginia State in the West Virginia Intercollegiate Athletic Association Tournament earned them the automatic bid and the eighth spot while West Virginia Wesleyan remains in the field and takes the seventh seed.

This is Ferris’ third trip to the NCAA Division II Tournament in the last four years and sixth overall for the program.

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