Ferris State softball’s season is in full swing, with the team posting a 12-13 record through 25 games played this season. The Bulldogs have yet to have their home opener, which will come on Tuesday, March 19.
In an interview with the Torch, softball bench boss Jake Schumann discussed the team’s play so far before they made an 8-4 run in Florida alongside the struggles of a young season.
Q: The team’s performance record-wise isn’t where you want it to be, with the team being 4-9, how would you say you guys are preparing for this next stretch of games down in Florida?
A: We have played three weekends already, two down in Tennessee and we are hitting really well, and pitching good enough to be undefeated, to be honest with you. It’s just our defenses let us down pretty badly. So we’re hoping that the three weekends outside and this week’s practice with the nice weather, and then being in Florida for 10 days is going to sure up that part of our game. Just in time for the end of March when we start GLIAC play.
Q: On that defensive end of the field, are you looking at any player in particular to step up and become a leader on that side of the ball? Or is it just more of a conditioning thing and getting everyone back into game shape?
A: I think we haven’t taken a live outdoor rep in practice since October. Being inside an indoor facility isn’t conducive to being prepared for a live game. Not to make excuses, but it’s a pretty good one. We’re gonna practice this weekend down in Orlando. Then we will have all these games and the ability to take some more balls out in Big Sky so we’re hoping these 10 days are gonna fix that for us.
Q: In terms of pitching, what has the team’s greatest strength been?
A: Knock on wood, we’ve been throwing strikes, you know, if you throw strikes, the ball gets put in play and gives us a chance to be successful. We are not giving out free bases a lot. And we got a couple of newcomers that are throwing really well. Sophomore Izzy Regner is throwing great, freshman Ashley Webb took advantage of her opportunity last week. We have a senior Aryn Gallacher who goes out and does her job and induces ground balls. That’s where the defense comes in. We gotta be able to pick up and throw it. But we are doing well, their pitches are doing good, a lot better than we were at this point last year.
Q: Around this time last year, the team was 3-10. Heading into a similar situation, as a reflection on that, how would you say this is a bit different from last year?
A: Well, our schedule is a heck of a lot tougher. This year we played three defending conference champs and a handful of NCAA regional teams. We’re gonna go play the number 10 team in the country, our first game down in Florida. So yeah, it’s been a tough schedule so far the first three weekends. But we’re young, and that’s what I wanted us to go get out and see. I wanted us to be prepared for GLIAC play and a tough schedule is the only way I know how to do that.