This week on Ferris Sports Update, host Rob Bentley is joined by Ferris Softball Coach Jake Schumann, head coach of Bulldog golf Sam Stark, and football assistant coach Brendan Siwajek.
Softball
First up on Ferris Sports Update, Rob chats with Ferris Softball Coach Jake Schumann to talk about the team’s recent weekend series against Davenport and Grand Valley. In the first series, the Bulldogs hosted Davenport at home for a doubleheader on Saturday. Ferris won the first game of the doubleheader in dominant fashion 7-0, with the team’s only senior, Aryn Gallacher pitching 6 shutout innings, striking out 6. The Bulldogs dropped the second game to Davenport 1-4.
On Sunday the team travelled to Allendale on Sunday to face Grand Valley in a doubleheader. The Bulldogs dropped the first game of the doubleheader in a heartbreaker, losing 1-2. The Bulldogs would come back and win the second game 1-0, with junior outfielder Maddie Gkekas knocking in the team’s only run. The GLIAC division is a tight race with 10 games left in the regular season. Coach Schumann notes that good pitching, good defense and timely hitting will propel the team’s success down the stretch. The Bulldogs have two doubleheaders at home this upcoming weekend against Wisconsin-Parkside on Saturday, and Purdue Northwest on Sunday.
Photo by Ferris Athletics
Golf
Joining us next is Head Coach of Bulldog golf Sam Stark. This past week men’s golf participated in the GLIAC tournament, where they brought home a trophy. Stark mentions how the team played great against adverse weather in the first round. He mentions that the team took this early victory as a good thing, but let their guard down for the second round. Still pulling a win out of both rounds, taking them to the semi-finals.
Photo By Ferris Athletics
The semi-finals and finals are where Ferris really stepped up, coming down to a final putt against Wayne State, and putting immense pressure on Grand Valley. Coach Stark attributes their victory to the mindset the team had going into the tournament, saying he thinks that’s what really gave them the competitive edge. People saw the bulldogs as the underdogs going into this tournament, however they did not see themselves that way. Also mentioned was how strong both competitors were, Stark mentions the history they have against both teams and how each round was a tough, but good match up. A lot of our players really stepped up this year, proving themselves during this tournament and getting the job done.
The Bulldogs are revisiting Augusta this coming weekend to see Women’s golf partake in the tournament, Coach Stark mentions how this is the first time they will be defending champions. Not only that but they are also relying pretty heavily on both returning players, but also some of the newer ones. We wish both the Women’s team luck in the coming tournament, and both teams as they head into the NCAA tournament coming up
Football
This week on Ferris Sports Update Rob chats with football assistant coach Brendan Siwajek on the spring season and upcoming football season. This spring season comes with weather difficulties, but with the weather getting nicer and warmer each day they are starting to enjoy it and get ready for the upcoming season. Football has been on the field practicing and trying not to look back at last season and the results but to use it to get “hunger back into our systems” as coach Siwajek says.
Football spring game will be Friday 4-19-24 at 5:30pm at Top Targgart Field will, so be sure to cheer on your Ferris bulldogs and their preparation for the upcoming season.
Coach Siwajek started as a Football bulldog before coming back as a coach and has experience on both sides of the field. Stating that it was a hard transition, having to gain a different type of respect from the team. His experience playing with Ferris state is a moment of his life that he “wouldn’t trade for the world.” Siwajek says that “work ethic” is something that has been improved throughout the years for the team. Coach as well as the team are excited and ready for the next season and going to bring their all, and plan to make wins after wins. Keep an eye out for the future schedule and be sure to support your football bulldogs.