FERRIS SOFTBALL ANNOUNCES 2006 SCHEDULE

Slate Features Three Tournaments; Home Opener April 8 Versus Grand Valley State

FSU will play a minimum of 53 games and compete against four teams ranked in the National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) Division II Preseason Top 25 Poll. The Bulldogs will also be involved in three tournaments during the 2006 campaign -- Southern Illinois-Edwardsville Cougar Classic (Feb. 25-26), Florida Rebel Spring Tournament (March 4-11), and the Wayne State (Mich.) Invitational (March 25-26).

Ferris finished 31-20-0 overall a season ago, which represented its best campaign since 2000 and was the program's sixth 30 or more win season. The Bulldogs not only captured the 2005 GLIAC Tournament title and claimed a share of the conference championship crown, but also made their fourth-ever NCAA Division II Regional Tourney appearance and first since 1999.

“We have a challenging schedule this spring and we're excited about the quality of opponents we will be playing,” said ninth-year FSU head coach Keri Becker, the school’s all-time winningest coach. “We begin the season a week earlier than in the past, competing at the Southern Illinois-Edwardsville Tournament. The competitive tournament will be helpful in us getting some games under our belt before taking part in a busy week of softball in Florida.

“The Florida Rebel games have always provided stiff competition for us and our schedule features a lot of regional opponents. When I first received the Florida (Tournament) schedule, I thought it would be better for us to play some teams last than first. However, I have since figured it was better for us to see where we're at going into the tournament and put the kids up to the challenge,” added Becker.

Beginning its 34th season of varsity competition a week earlier than last year, the Bulldogs will be participating in the Southern Illinois-Edwardsville Cougar Classic, Feb. 25-26, at Edwardsville, Ill. Ferris will open the season against Missouri Western before tangling with St. Joseph's (Ind.) in opening-day (Feb. 25) play. The Bulldogs then square off against Nebraska-Omaha and host Southern Illinois-Edwardsville in the second and final day (Feb. 26) of the round-robin tournament.

The annual spring break trip to Florida is next as Ferris will once again be taking part in the 14-game Florida Rebel Spring Tournament, March 4-11, at Kissimmee, Fla. The busy slate will include the likes of 13th nationally-ranked Florida Southern (March 8) and 15th-ranked Northern Kentucky (March 4). Following a week off, the Bulldogs will round out their final tournament of the regular season at the Wayne State Invitational in Detroit, Mich., which is scheduled for March 25-26. FSU will face Findlay, Hillsdale, and host Wayne State in pool play. The tourney will have both a third-place and championship game on March 26.

Ferris starts its 20-game GLIAC schedule on the first day of April at 19th-ranked Northwood in Midland, Mich. Game one of the league doubleheader will start at 1 p.m. (EST). The Bulldogs will make their home debut April 8 against archrival Grand Valley State in a GLIAC twinbill at the FSU Varsity Softball Field in Big Rapids, Mich. The first pitch is slated to be thrown at 1 p.m. (EDT). A total of six home dates are included in this season's schedule, including the regular-season finale versus Hillsdale on April 29.

"Our conference schedule promises to be difficult week in and week out," Becker said. "We open against a top-notch opponent in Northwood and I wouldn't want to see it any other way."

Postseason play begins May 5-7 with the GLIAC Tournament in Midland, Mich. For the second straight year, the top eight regular-season finishers of the 11 conference teams will qualify for the double-elimination tournament and seeding will be determined by each team's regular-season league record.

"I'm a strong believer in the current format of the GLIAC Tournament," said Becker. "Both the regular season and conference tournament are equally important and carry a lot of weight. The conference season is a long, grueling one and only the strong survive."

Ferris returns 10 letterwinners from last season’s team, including the 2005 GLIAC Player of the Year in senior outfielder Emily McLean.