Francis Marion Falls to Ferris State 2-0 at National Championships

By Michael Hawkins, Francis Marion  

HOUSTON, TX – Right-hander Sarah Mueller tossed a four-hit shutout to lead Ferris State University to a 2-0 win over Francis Marion University, Wednesday (May 14) in the opening round of the NCAA Division II Women’s Softball National Finals.

Francis Marion drops to 38-15 and falls into the losers’ bracket where the Patriots will face Barry University on Thursday at 11 a.m. (Eastern time). Barry lost to St. Edward’s University 5-4 on Wednesday. Ferris State (35-16) faces St. Edward’s in the winners’ bracket Thursday.

FMU sophomore left-hander Michaela Wolf (28-12) allowed only six hits, while striking out six and walking four. Mueller (16-6) fanned four and walked no one.

FMU lost an excellent chance to score in the first inning when Bulldog center fielder Rachel Wade crashed into the fence and caught a deep drive by Patriot first baseman Monica Wofford. Mueller went on retire the first nine FMU batters in order.

Francis Marion’s Lakyn Bendle reached base on a fielder’s choice and stole second with one out in the fourth, but was stranded there. The Patriots’ only other scoring opportunity came in the fifth frame when Stevie Arrand singled to shallow leftcenter field with Jessie Alesi on second. Alesi was held at third and with the two runners on, Mueller got Nicole Reuter to ground into an inning-ending fielder’s choice.

Ferris State scored its two runs on a two-out RBI single up the middle by Amanda Jager in the third and a two-out RBI single down the right field line by Holly Bruntjens in the fifth frame. The first run snapped a streak of 17 scoreless innings thrown by Wolf.

“Unfortunately that wasn’t us out there on the field today,” said Francis Marion head coach Stacey Vallee. “We didn’t pitch, hit, or field like I know we can. Despite all that we were still in the game, but just could not get a big hit. Thursday we must come out and battle to stay alive in the tournament.”