Grand Rapids Reporter

Ferris State University's women's softball team concluded their season-opening trip to Hawaii with a successful sweep on Friday, February 7. The Bulldogs defeated Hawaii-Hilo with a score of 6-2 in the first game and overcame Lewis (Ill.) by a 9-1 margin in six innings during their final match in Honolulu.

The victories resulted in Ferris State finishing their initial trip of the year with an even 3-3 record, securing wins in three of their last four games.

In the opening game against Hawaii-Hilo, Ferris State accumulated nine hits. Shortstop Jayden Marlatt led the team with three hits, while catcher Emily Killion contributed two. First baseman Alexis Kozlowski and second baseman Jadyn Joseph each drove in two runs. Emma Gillard hit a double, and Kozlowski added a triple.

The Bulldogs scored three runs in both the second and sixth innings, limiting Hawaii-Hilo to two runs in the fourth inning. Pitcher Ella Covill-Martar secured the win by pitching all seven innings, allowing two runs on eight hits, achieving three strikeouts and one walk for her second victory of the year.

In the subsequent game against Lewis, Ferris State rebounded after an earlier defeat to them that week. Although Lewis initially led with a run in the third inning's top half, Ferris State responded with consistent scoring throughout: two runs in the third inning's bottom half, one in the fourth, another pair in the fifth, and four more to seal victory in the sixth inning.

Overall, FSU recorded 13 hits during this game. Joseph, Kozlowski, and outfielder Bailey McCalister each had two hits. McCalister and Jasyl Withers both drove home two runs while four other players registered single RBIs. Kozlowski achieved another triple while doubles were delivered by Joseph, Withers, Marlatt, and Paige Antcliff.

Cecilia Bell pitched all six innings for Ferris State without yielding any earned runs on six hits while striking out four batters and walking one.

Ferris State is scheduled to participate next in the Blue Bridge Battle set for February 21-23 in Evansville, Indiana.