After playing eight games in just four days, the Bulldogs softball team came out of the USSSA Space Coast Spring games winning five of the eight games during the week.
The Bulldogs outscored their opponents in those five wins by 24 runs to just four, while securing two shutout victories. Freshman pitcher Katie Shuboy pitched those two complete game shutouts, pitching a 5-inning, three-hit and five-strikeout game against Ursuline. While one-upping that game only three days later in a seven-inning, three-hit and seven-strikeout complete game.
Shuboy talked about her performance during the USSSA Space Coast games.
“It feels fantastic,” Shuboy said. “We are ready to roll into GLIAC play, I give a lot of credit to my coaches for working with me all winter and all of my supportive teammates who have my back.”
While on the offensive side, freshman outfielder Ava Gardner stepped up in those eight games. She secured 12 hits in her 23 at-bats, which was good for a .521 average, while knocking in eight RBIs, three doubles, two triples, two home runs and adding one stolen base.
The Bulldogs (14-11, 0-0 in GLIAC) will take on the Saginaw Valley State Cardinals (10-8, 0-0 in GLIAC) for the first set of home games of the 2026 season.
Saginaw Valley has taken home the regular-season title in the last two seasons and won the GLIAC tournament in the last four. March has been a stagnant one for the Cardinals, going 6-6 so far this month, but they come into the matchup against the Bulldogs riding a three-game win streak.
The Cardinals have one of the toughest pitching staffs in the division, led by junior Aalana Kimble. Kimble has started in eight games this season to a total of 54 innings, while having seven complete games. Kimble has pitched to a 1.94 ERA, while striking out 39 while only walking 11 batters.
Head coach Jake Schumann spoke about playing back in front of the Bulldogs faithful and taking on the tough Cardinals squad.
“SVSU has been the team to beat the last three years in the league, and having to open up with them is a tough task. But to finally be home will hopefully produce a home crowd that will motivate our young team to perform to the best of our abilities. We get to return home to our amazing parents and community members who have adopted our team. This will be an amazing opportunity to showcase our young and talented squad.”
The second set of games comes against the Wayne State Warriors (6-7, 0-0 in GLIAC).
The Bulldogs have struggled against the Warriors all-time, with the Warriors holding a 41-31 record against Ferris all-time. Though, since 2022, the Bulldogs have held a record of 11-4 against the Warriors.
For the Bulldogs, they look to get their offense rolling against the Warriors, which is bolstered by junior outfielder Emma Gillard. Gillard has a .310 average, while totaling four extra base hits, three home runs, and a team-leading 19 RBIs this season.
Wayne State is led on offense by sophomore shortstop Hunter Near. Near is batting a .400 average, with a 1.210 OPS, while having four extra base hits, two home runs, and knocking in seven RBIs this season.
The Warriors’ pitching staff is fronted by junior Sydney Long, who has pitched in eight games to the tune of a 2.98 ERA, striking out 27, while walking just nine batters in 42.1 innings.
The Ferris State Bulldogs softball team returns home to Big Rapids for the first set of games, starting off against the Saginaw Valley State Cardinals on March 21 at 1 p.m., while the second game is scheduled for 3 p.m. The second set of games comes the following day against the Wayne State Warriors, with the games scheduled for 1 p.m. and 3 p.m.