News Summary
On April 12, 2025, Ferris State University’s softball team faced Grand Valley State University in a thrilling doubleheader. The first game ended in a 7-4 victory for FSU, showcasing strong performances from multiple players, including crucial hits and solid pitching. Unfortunately, FSU narrowly lost the second game 3-2. The day’s split leaves Ferris State with a record of 20-12 overall and 9-7 in conference play as they look forward to their next matchup against Purdue Northwest.
Exciting Day for Ferris State Softball in Grand Valley State Showdown!
Big news coming from Big Rapids, Michigan, as the Ferris State University (FSU) softball team had quite the rollercoaster ride on April 12, 2025! They faced off against Grand Valley State University (GVSU) in an electrifying doubleheader that had fans at the edge of their seats. The day ended with FSU splitting the doubleheader, grabbing a thrilling win in the first game and then narrowly falling in the second.
A Grand Start for Ferris State
In the opening game of the series, Ferris State came out swinging, securing a thrilling 7-4 victory after an exciting eight innings of play. With a collective effort from the team, FSU racked up 10 hits and battled hard, scoring three runs in the top of the eighth inning to break a tense 4-4 tie. Initially, they set the tone early by scoring twice in the third inning, which put them ahead 2-1. Although GVSU’s resilience saw them tie the game in the seventh, Ferris State’s determination shone through in the final innings.
Star Performers Shine Bright
FSU’s players brought their A-game, with several standouts having multi-hit performances during the opener. Jadyn Joseph, Alexis Kozlowski, Brooklyn Verbeek, and Breanna Blair all contributed significantly, each landing two hits to help propel their team to victory. Outfielder Emma Gillard really made her mark by driving in three runs and delivering a crucial double that kept the momentum going for Ferris State.
On the pitching side, the trio of Catherine O’Donohue, Ella Covill-Marter, and Cecilia Bell kept GVSU at bay, allowing just four earned runs while adding five strikeouts to their tally. Notably, Cecilia Bell showcased her skills by coming in for a save, pitching one and two-thirds innings without allowing any runs and striking out one of GVSU’s batters.
Second Game: A Close Call
Despite the loss in the second game, Ferris State collected seven hits, slightly edging GVSU’s six hits. Shortstop Bailey McCalister stood out with two hits, including an impressive double. In addition, both Emily Killion and Brooklyn Verbeek each contributed an RBI, showing that FSU was definitely still in the game and pushing hard to reclaim the lead.
On the mound, Cecilia Bell was back at it, pitching all six innings while giving up only one earned run. She demonstrated great control, striking out two batters without walking anyone, keeping Ferris State competitive until the final moments.
Looking Ahead
With this split, Ferris State’s overall record now stands at 20-12 and a commendable 9-7 in conference play. FSU fans can certainly feel the excitement in the air as the team gears up for their next contest! Up next is a doubleheader against Purdue Northwest on April 13, 2025, starting at 1 p.m. (ET) in Hammond, Indiana. If today was any indication, we should be in for yet another exciting day of softball!
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Additional Resources
- MaxPreps: Big Rapids Comes Up Short
- Google Search: Ferris State Softball
- 9 and 10 News: Big Rapids and Chippewa Hills Split Softball Doubleheader
- Wikipedia: Softball
- Big Rapids News: New Chippewa Hills Softball Coach Optimistic
- Google News: High School Softball
- Echo Press: Big Second Inning Lifts Alexandria Over Grand Rapids
- Encyclopedia Britannica: High School Sports
- MLive: Grand Rapids Area High School Softball Players to Watch in 2025
- Google Search: High School Softball Players
Author: STAFF HERE GRANDRAPIDS WRITER
GRAND RAPIDS STAFF WRITER The GRAND RAPIDS STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREGrandRapids.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Grand Rapids, Kent County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as ArtPrize, Festival of the Arts, and World of Winter. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Grand Rapids Chamber of Commerce and Grand Rapids Community Foundation, plus leading businesses in furniture, healthcare, and technology that power the local economy such as Steelcase, Spectrum Health, and Meijer. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREDetroitMI.com, HERENorthville.com, HERENovi.com, and HEREPlymouth.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Michigan's dynamic landscape.
