Ferris State's Liz Hamming Represents The Bulldogs Well In World Series Win

Ferris State University's Liz Hamming and her Central District 9 teammates were crowned 2010 Big League Softball World Series champions led by the efforts of the sophomore Bulldog catcher.


Liz Hamming is a player of the future for Ferris State University's softball team, and the future is looking brighter and brighter all the time.

Hamming, a native of Hudsonville, showcased the talent that made her a prized recruit of Ferris head softball coach Keri Becker during her participation in the 2010 Big League Softball World Series championship game in Kalamazoo.

Friends of Hamming have been following her progress on Facebook as the Bulldog catcher, who will be a sophomore this coming season, has been a key component of her Central District 9 team. The squad, led by two Hamming home runs on Aug. 11 (Wednesday), scored a 14-4 win in six innings over Asia Pacific (Manila) in the championship game at Vanderberg Park.

District 9 has a history of championship success with four championships in the last 10 years.

Hamming was on fire with three hits (including her two homers) in a game that was broadcast nationally on ESPN2.

There is no doubt the talent is there for Hamming who had solid offensive numbers when she got her opportunities to swing the bat. She had six hits in 13 at bats for an average of .462. She had a double, a home run and six runs batted in.

It seems only a matter of time before the great things people saw from Hamming in the Big League Softball World Series translates to the college level for her at Ferris.

Ferris State University softball sophomore Liz Hamming puts the squeeze on a ball during action this summer.

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Teams Likely To Be Even More Disappointed When NCAA Tournament Field Announced

BIG RAPIDS - Ferris State University and some other Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference softball teams hurt by the cancellation of the tournament are unlikely to be less disappointed Monday morning when the NCAA Tournament pairings are announced.

The top eight teams in each NCAA Division II region will qualify for NCAA Tournament. From those top eight teams, the top two from each each region will serve as sub-regional tournament hosts on May 14-16. The winners of the sub-regional play in the super regional (May 21-22) with the punching tickets to the 2010 NCAA-II Softball Championships (May 27-31) at Heritage Park in St. Joseph, Mo. The eight NCAA Division II regions are the Atlantic, Central, East, Midwest, South, South Central, Southeast and West.

The selections are set to be announced on Monday, May 10, at 10 a.m. on the Web at NCAA.com.

Ferris and Northwood University were among the teams playing good softball during the season (perhaps better ball than some teams ranked among them in the regional rankings).

As a side note, on Sunday (May 9), Lewis University won the Great Lakes Valley Conference Tournament courtesy of a 7-5 win over Northern Kentucky University.

In the most recent regional rankings, Ferris was ranked 10th.

Here are the regional rankings as of May 1:

Midwest Region	Division II	In-Region
1. Wayne State (Mich.)	45-10	32-7
2. Ashland	33-11	32-9
3. Indianapolis	34-13	29-7
4. Lewis	28-12	25-8
5. Saginaw Valley State	24-14	20-13
6. Quincy	35-13	32-11
7. Tiffin	31-16	29-13
8. Northern Kentucky	31-16	30-15
9. Northwood	23-17	21-14
10. Ferris State	26-16	24-13

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GLIAC Tournament Officially Canceled Due to Rain, Playing Conditions

MIDLAND - It was a painful blow to head coach Keri Becker's Ferris State University's softball seniors (Amanda Harrington, Rachel Wade, Rhea Flores and Kayle Stevenson) as word officially came down Saturday (May 8) morning that the 2010 Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Softball Tournament, scheduled to take place over the weekend at Emerson Park in Midland, was officially canceled.

A steady rainfall, concerns about field playing conditions, the safety of the student-athletes and the time to finish the tournament were among reasons the tournament was officially canceled.

The decision to cancel the tournament is a painful blow to teams like Ferris and Northwood University - teams on the bubble with respect to the NCAA Division II Midwest Regional Rankings. There were not too many dry eyes in the hotel when the announcement was made to the Ferris team on Saturday morning. In the most recent rankings, Northwood was ninth and Ferris was 10th (the top eight teams at the end of the season (Sunday night) will earn bids to the NCAA Tournament.

With no more opportunities to prove themselves, on the softball diamond, the NCAA outlook is fairly bleak for the softball student-athletes at schools like Ferris and Northwood.

The picks for the NCAA-II Regional Championships officially will be announced Monday (May 10) at 10 a.m. via a Web cast selection show on NCAA.com.

Ferris is holding steady at 26-16 overall after a third-place finish (tied) in the GLIAC standings at 17-9.

As a result of the cancellation of the tournament, Wayne State University, the regular-season GLIAC champions, will receive the conference's automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament.

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Tournament In The Midst Of Rain Delay

MIDLAND - The 2010 Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Softball Tournament is in the midst of a rain delay at Emerson Park on Friday (May 7).

The first two games have not been completed as Ashland and Grand Valley State are tied 3-3 in one contest frozen in the fifth inning while Saginaw Valley State is leading Northwood 4-0 in a game that is still in the fourth inning.

The tournament is in a holding pattern until 3 p.m. when officials and coaches will meet to discuss the direction the tournament will move.

May. 7	Ferris St.		TBA		4:00 PM	Live stats
	"GLIAC Tournament" @ Midland, Mich.
	Tiffin		Ferris St.		12:00 PM	Live stats Live stats
	"GLIAC Tournament" @ Emerson Park, Midland, Mich.
	Hillsdale		Wayne St. (Mich.)		12:00 PM	Live stats
	"GLIAC Tournament" @ Emerson Park, Midland, Mich.
	Grand Valley St.	3	Ashland	3	Top of 5	Live stats
	"GLIAC Tournament" @ Emerson Park, Midland, Mich.
	Saginaw Valley	4	Northwood (Mich.)	0	Bottom of 4	Live stats
	"GLIAC Tournament" @ Emerson Park, Midland, Mich.

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Here Is An Outline Of The GLIAC Tournament

Here is the breakdown as posted on the Web site of the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference:

Tournament Format

The 2010 GLIAC Tournament will be a double-elimination format. If conditions dictate a change in format, only the Tournament Director may make the decision to shorten the tournament.

Tournament Draw

The top eight teams based on regular season conference winning percentage will compete in the tournament.

#1 Wayne State University Warriors

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#2 Ashland University Eagles

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#3 Northwood University Timberwolves

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#4 Ferris State University Bulldogs

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#5 Tiffin University Dragons

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#6 Saginaw Valley State Universtiy Cardinals

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#7 Grand Valley State University Lakers

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#8 Hillsdale College Chargers

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Tournament Schedule

Friday, May 7 - Emerson Park
10:00 am Game 1 (Currie Stadium) #2 Ashland vs. #7 Grand Valley State

10:00 am Game 2 (Diamond 3) #3 Northwood vs. #6 Saginaw Valley State

Noon Game 3 (Diamond 3) #4 Ferris State vs. #5 Tiffin

Noon Game 4 (Currie Stadium) #1 Wayne State vs. #8 Hillsdale

2:00 pm Game 5 (Currie Stadium) Loser Game 1 vs. Loser Game 2

2:00 pm Game 6 (Diamond 3) Loser Game 3 vs. Loser Game 4

4:00 pm Game 7 (Diamond 3) Winner Game 1 vs. Winner Game 2

4:00 pm Game 8 (Currie Stadium) Winner Game 3 vs. Winner Game 4

Saturday, May 8 - Emerson Park

10:00 am Game 9 (Diamond 3) Loser Game 8 vs. Winner Game 5

10:00 am Game 10 (Currie Stadium) Loser Game 7 vs. Winner Game 6

Noon Game 11 (Currie Stadium) Winner Game 7 vs. Winner Game 8

Noon Game 12 (Diamond 3) Winner Game 9 vs. Winner Game 10

2:00 pm Game 13 (Currie Stadium) Winner Game 12 vs. Loser Game 11

Sunday, May 9 - Emerson Park

10:00 am Game 14 (Currie Stadium) Winner Game 11 vs. Winner Game 13

Noon Game 15 (Currie Stadium) If necessary

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Ferris Ranked 10th In The Midwest Region ... AGAIN!

BIG RAPIDS - It's not time to sweat just yet, but Ferris State University bumping its head against an invisible ceiling as it attempts to climb the NCAA Division II Midwest Region Softball Rankings.

For the third consecutive week, the Bulldogs are ranked 10th in the r

egion according to the latest poll released April 28. Again, it's no time to panic as there are still more than enough softball games and opportunities left for head coach Keri Becker's Bulldogs to truly climb the ladder. Ferris, however, seemed to have greatly helped its cause by sweeping No. 17 Saginaw Valley State and splitting with No. 9 Wayne State last weekend in a pair of Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference doubleheaders.

If Ferris can remain consistent, finish the regular season strong and play its best ball in the GLIAC Tournament then the rankings will take care of themselves.

Ferris, led by senior designated player/pitcher Rhea Flores (pictured) currently is 24-16 overall and 15-9 in the GLIAC.

Check below for the NCAA Division II Midwest Region rankings:

This Saturday, the Bulldogs wrap up regular-season play when they travel to Allendale to take on Grand Valley State in a doubleheader beginning at 2 p.m.

The top 10 teams in each region are listed in rank order with records as of April 26.

Midwest Region	Division II	In-Region
1. Wayne State (Mich.)	41-10	28-7
2. Ashland	31-11	30-9
3. Lewis	27-11	24-7
4. Indianapolis	32-13	27-7
5. Saginaw Valley State	20-10	16-9
6. Quincy	34-10	31-8
7. Tiffin	27-16	25-13
8. Northern Kentucky	28-15	27-14
9. Northwood	20-14	18-11
10. Ferris State	23-15	21-12

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Ferris Remains 10th In Regional Rankings

BIG RAPIDS - Ferris State University has held steady in the most recent listing (April 19) of the NCAA Division II Midwest Region Rankings for softball.

The Bulldogs of head coach Keri Becker remain

ed 10th in the poll (the top eight at the end of the season will advance to the NCAA Division II Tournament). This poll shows that Ferris remains in striking distance for a bid to the NCAA Tournament with some key doubleheaders and the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Tournament in Midland in early May.

Ferris is 20-14 overall and 11-7 in the GLIAC following Wednesday's 2-1 home loss at the FSU Softball Field to Northwood University. The Bulldogs hope to get on a roll beginning this weekend with showdowns against two of the better teams in the GLIAC, the region and the nation. Ferris is on the road to face nationally-ranked Saginaw Valley State University (17th) and nationally-ranked Wayne State University (ninth) in a pair of doubleheaders. The Warriors are first in the region while Saginaw Valley is third.

This is a perfect weekend for the Bulldogs to get on a roll as they are at Saginaw Valley on Saturday and at Wayne State on Sunday. If Ferris can come away with wins this weekend it can greatly strengthen its position in the regional tournament at the time of the year when it wants to be playing its best basketball.

Midwest Region	Division II	In-Region
1. Wayne State (Mich.)	37-8	24-5
2. Ashland	26-10	25-8
3. Saginaw Valley State	19-7	15-6
4. Lewis	23-9	20-5
5. Indianapolis	27-12	22-6
6. Quincy	27-10	24-8
7. Northern Kentucky	24-13	23-12
8. Tiffin	22-15	20-12
9. Northwood	16-11	14-8
10. Ferris State	18-13	16-10

PHOTO CAPTION:

Ferris State's Dana Bowler has already paid dividends in her freshman season pitching for the Bulldogs. (Photo/Sandy Gholston)

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Ferris Ranked 10th In the Region In Latest Poll

BIG RAPIDS - There remains a lot of softball left to be played this season, but Ferris State University currently is ranked 10th in the NCAA Division II Midwest Region rankings that were released on April 14.

The rankings mean that, as of right now, Ferris is within striking distance of earning a spot in the NCAA Division II Tournament (the top eight teams in the region at the end of the season will qualify for the NCAA Division II Tournament). The top two teams host sub-regional tournaments (May 14-16) and the winners of the two sub-regional tournaments (May 21-22) will play in the super regional for the right to advance to the NCAA Division II Championships (May 27-31) which will be played in St. Joseph, Mo.

The current regional rankings show that Ferris still has a lot of work to do to remain in those regional rankings, but also has a lot of opportunities to move up.The Bulldogs have yet to face No. 2 Ashland University, No. 3 Wayne State University and No. 8 Tiffin University (all teams ranked ahead of the Bulldogs in the region). Also, Ferris still has three games to make up against No. 9 Northwood University.

Grand Valley State University, among other programs, is right there with a good record and the potential to move up.

Lots of softball remains to be played for Ferris and others.

Midwest Region	Division II	In-Region
1. Saginaw Valley State	18-4	14-3
2. Ashland	21-9	20-7
3. Wayne State (Mich.)	31-8	18-5
4. Lewis	19-7	16-3
5. Indianapolis	26-11	21-5
6. Northern Kentucky	21-10	20-9
7. Quincy	23-8	20-6
8. Tiffin	16-13	14-10
9. Northwood	12-9	10-6
10. Ferris State	15-10	13-7

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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 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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One Of The Friendly Faces To Great At The Rebel Spring Games

This is such sad news.

She was always such a friendly face when we came into the gates of the Osceola County Softball Complex in Kissimmee, Fla. for the Rebel Spring Games:

This is from the Rebel Spring Games Web site:

Norma Metrolis, 84, passed away Tuesday, February 2,2010 at her home in Melbourne, Fl. Born in Kittery Maine, Norma moved to Florida in 1939. She will be dearly missed by her many friends. Norma is survived by her brother, George Metrolis of Collingsville, MS and her sister Phyliss Pettyjohn of Stillwater, OK.

Norma worked for the US Department of Agriculture for thirty years. She played proffessional baseball at the catcher position for five years and is a member of the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, NY. After retiring, she became an avid golfer and is credited with six holes in one.

For the past several years Norma worked at the gate at the Rebel Spring Games and often was called upon to talk to teams of her days in the All American Girls Baseball League (a league of their own).

Players, coaches fans, and umpires wishing to contribute to the Norma Metrolis Memorial Fund may do so at the games. A donation box will be available at the gate. All contributions will go towards the promotion of women's softball.

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Ferris To Face Some Stiff Competition In Alabama-Huntsville Charger Chillout

BIG RAPIDS - Over the years, Ferris State University softball coach Keri Becker has never been one to duck some tough competition for her Bulldogs.

Last year, the Bulldogs finished 35-10 overall and ranked 22nd in the nation after bowing out in the NCAA Division II Tournament. In spite of graduating five seniors, Becker is hopeful the returning players have gained some confidence after a strong 2009 campaign and the new players she has recruited will continue to perform confidently.

All hands will need to be on deck and playing well from the start as Ferris opens its 2010 campaign against some VERY strong competition in the Alabama-Huntsville Charger Chillout in Decatur, Ala. (Feb. 19-21) this weekend.

"It will be nice to get about six games under our belt for sure," said Becker, who is in her 13th season at Ferris with a record of 383-237-1. "The competition will be stiff. In that respect, it will let us know right where we stand. We play the No. 1 team in the country and some other top teams in the country. We will find out in a hurry where we stand."

Indeed, the lineup is challenging from start to finish as Ferris gets this early-season competition in the month of February.

Here is a rundown of the competition for the Bulldogs in this weekend's tournament:

University of Alabama-Huntsville Charger Chillout
(Feb. 19-21) - Decatur, Alabama

Friday (Feb. 19)
vs. North Alabama @ 12 p.m. (CST) - Field 5
vs. Augusta State (Ga.) @ 2 p.m. (CST) - Field 1

Saturday (Feb. 20)
vs. #5 Indianapolis @ 10 a.m. (CST) - Field 4
vs. #1 Alabama-Huntsville @ 12 p.m. (CST) - Field 4

Sunday (Feb. 21)
vs. West Georgia @ 9 a.m. (CST) - Field 2
vs. Southern Indiana @ 11 a.m. (CST) - Field 2

In many ways, this prestigious tournament is like who's who of Division II college softball with top-ranked Alabama-Huntsville and fifth-ranked Indianapolis (the two opponents of Ferris on Saturday).

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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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BLOG 41: Future Bulldog Hamming Hitting Long Balls This Summer

BIG RAPIDS - The Grand Rapids Press reported on a future Ferris State University Bulldog softball player, Liz Hamming, who is doing some good things on the diamond this summer.

Hamming, who prepped at Hudsonville High School in the Grand Rapids area, is doing her thing on a pretty big stage.

This is an excerpt from the Grand Rapids Press story:

WYOMING -- Liz Hamming homered three times in two games Saturday to help Michigan's District 9's Big League softball team advance out of pool play.

The former Hudsonville standout, who will play at Ferris State beginning this fall, homered in the first game and put the ball over the fence twice in Game 2 as District 9's 16-18 team swept pool play by beating Indiana District 6 (4-0) and Michigan District 15 (14-1).

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BLOG 40: It's Early, But Ferris Softball Schedule Taking Shape With Early Trip To Alabama

BIG RAPIDS - The 2010 softball season seems an awfully long time away, but the schedule is now beginning to come into focus.

In addition to their traditional trip to Florida (March 6-14), the Bulldogs have a tentative date in Alabama for a pre-Florida tournament against some good Division II competition at an event hosted by the University of Alabama-Huntsville.

The three-day Alabama-Huntsville Tournament would have Ferris in heavy competition with two games a day (Feb. 19-21).

Feb. 19
The Bulldogs take on Augusta State (Ga.) and Missouri-St. Louis

Feb. 20
The Bulldogs face Indianapolis and Alabama-Huntsville

Feb. 21
The Bulldogs face North Georgia and Southern Indiana

For the tentative Ferris softball schedule, visit: http://www.ferris.edu/sports/softball/2010sked.htm

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BLOG 39: Softball Golf Scramble Set

BIG RAPIDS - The Ferris State University softball program will holding a 2009 Bulldog Softball Golf Scramble on Saturday, Sept. 12, at FSU's Katke Golf Course in Big Rapids, Mich.

The cost is $80 per player which includes 18 holes with cart, registration gift, dinner and awards, raffle prizes and pin/proximity prizes. Registration begins at 9 a.m. (EDT) with a shotgun start scheduled for 10 a.m. (EDT).

Sponsorship opportunities are also available with a hole sponsorship for $100 and a cart sponsorship for $500. With the hole sponsorship, a sponsorship sign featuring your name or business will be placed on either a tee or green and be seen by all participants. The cart sponsorship consists of a sponsorship sign featuring your name or business to be placed on up to 30 carts and a free single golf registration is also included.

For more information and/or questions pertaining to the 2009 Bulldog Softball Golf Scramble, please contact Ferris State Softball Head Coach Keri Becker at (231) 437-0027 or via e-mail at beckerk@ferris.edu.

For the complete article, visit: http://www.ferris.edu/sports/softball/09news/09golfouting.htm

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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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