2004 News

April 19: Diamond Dawgs Softball Notebag

Ferris State has won 16 of its last 21 contests, including five of its last six outings to date.

The Bulldogs have outscored their opponents 21 to 8 in their past six games, which includes three shutouts.

Junior pitcher Rachel Chartier (Marquette) is 5-0 with a 0.71 earned run average in eight home appearances this season. She has allowed only five runs (four earned) while allowing 30 base hits and striking out 16 hitters in 39.1 innings.

Senior first baseman Nicki Merchant (Wayland) is one base hit shy of tying Sarah Guzal (1995-98) for seventh place among the program's all-time hit leaders. Merchant, who has currently recorded 164 career base hits in 170 contests, is three more hits away from tying Nadine Crowl's (1997-00) sixth-place 167 career hit total.

Sophomore outfielder Emily McLean's (Rogers City) career-high 32 base hits in 34 contests this spring is 19 more than a season ago in 20 outings. McLean has compiled nine multi-hit games this campaign after notching three in the 2003 season. She also has a team-leading 17 RBIs this spring compared to six RBIs last year.

The Bulldogs presently have seven individuals with multi RBI's this season who have accounted for 80.9% (102-126) of the team's total output. A season ago in its initial 36 contests, FSU had three players with double-digit RBI totals which totaled 44.3% (47-106) of the squad's production.

Senior third baseman Dana Conklin (Wyoming/Rogers) is two base hits shy of equaling her career best 34 hits set last season in 45 outings. Conklin, who has reached the 30-hit plateau in her of her four seasons, has recorded 32 hits in 103 at bats for a .311 average in 36 outings.

Ferris State sports a 13-4 record this month. Individually, senior designated player Danielle Maxwell (Bay City/Western) is hitting a team-best .439 with 18 hits in 41 at bats to go with 12 RBIs. Pitcher Rachel Chartier is 7-1 with a 1.04 ERA (eight earned runs) and has 17 strikeouts in 53.2 innings.