KISSIMMEE, Fla.—The University of Southern Indiana softball team struggled to produce runs Monday as it fell to NCAA II Midwest Region foes Saginaw Valley State University, 3-1, and No. 8 Ferris State University, 6-1, at the Division II Rebel Spring Games.
USI (3-13) racked up nine hits in its first appearance against Saginaw Valley State, but could not overcome a 3-0 deficit as it produced just one run and left eight runners on base.
The Cardinals (3-3) used two home runs off the bat of senior first baseman Stacy Kraatz to produce all the offense they would need. Sophomore infielder
Amanda Brendel (Salem, Illinois) drove in USI's only tally with a double in the top of the fifth frame.
Senior pitcher
Stephanie Schneider (Birdseye, Indiana) was charged with the loss after giving up three runs off five hits in six innings of work. Schneider (1-6) struck out five batters while issuing just one walk.
Ferris State (5-0) jumped out to an early 2-0 deficit with tallies in the top of the first inning of the Screaming Eagles' second contest of the day. The Bulldogs used a 3-run blast off the bat of Rhea Flores in the third inning before tacking on another run in the fourth frame to extend their advantage to 6-0.
After going down in order for the first five frames, USI's bats came to life in the sixth inning as the Eagles broke up Holly Bruntjens' bid for a perfect game. USI recorded two hits and took advantage of an error to plate its lone run of the game. Junior outfielder
Lindsay Raikes (Speedway, Indiana) drove in the run with a single.
Sophomore hurler
Dawn McClellan (Valparaiso, Indiana) took the loss for the Eagles after giving up five runs off seven hits in 2.1 innings of work. She falls to 1-7 with the decision.
The Eagles continue their 12-game run in the Rebel Spring Games with games against Chadron State College and Concordia University-St. Paul Tuesday at 8 a.m. and 10 a.m. (CDT), respectively.
