It was an eventful weekend for the BGSU softball team as it went 2-1 on the road against Mid-American Conference opponent Eastern Michigan. BG is now tied for fifth in the East Division with a 2-4 record against MAC opponents.
In the first game of Friday’s doubleheader, both teams started off slow on the offensive end. The game picked up at the top of the fourth inning when senior Marisa Shook hit a RBI double to tie the game at one a piece.
Shook hit another RBI double towards center field to give BGSU a 2-1 lead in the top of the sixth inning.
Six Falcon hits and a number of errors by Eastern Michigan helped them score six runs in one inning to put the game out of reach for any Eagles comeback. BG won the first game 8-1.
In the second game of Friday’s doubleheader, it was more of the same as the Falcons failed to score until the top of the fourth. With the bases loaded in the fourth, sophomore Morgan Evangelista was hit by a pitch giving her an RBI as BG evened the score at one a piece.
Sophomore Katee Hinkle added to the scoreboard with an RBI single toward right field giving BG a 2-1 in the top of the fourth inning. In the next inning, sophomore Chelsea Raker hit a home run to give the Falcons another run to push the lead to 3-1.
However, Eastern Michigan’s offense came alive as they hit two home runs that would score three runs, cutting the deficit to 5-4. BG was still able to secure the win by holding off the Eagles run.
BGSU head coach Sarah Willis was satisfied with the team’s well-balanced performance on Friday.
“Defensively, offensively and in the circle, it was great to see everyone on the same page. It’s been a while since we all have played as a cohesive unit like that,” Willis said.
Willis also commented on the performance of some of her players, especially Shook who went 5-for-7 and had 5 RBIs.
“It was great to see Shook have such a noteworthy day at the plate today,” said Willis. “It was great to see her find her way back to where she started the season. She really picked up the team and was clutch all day.”
On Saturday, Eastern Michigan struck first with a first inning home run to give them the early lead in the first inning.
BG responded quickly in the top of the second as senior Braiden Dillow hit a sacrifice fly toward left field to give her the RBI to tie the game at one a piece.
The pitching of the Falcons took a hit as they gave up five hits that resulted in Eastern Michigan getting three runs over the next two innings.
In the top of the fourth inning, Hinkle hit a single RBI toward center. The Falcons would still trail in the ball game as they were down 4-2.
BG couldn’t match the offensive firepower that Eastern Michigan put on all game. The Eagles avoided the sweep by taking Saturday’s game by a score of 8-2.
“We were not sharp today,” Willis said. “We gave them too much in terms of physical errors and mental errors and our pitching was inconsistent today, and that consistency is something we’re trying to work toward. We need to come out sharper next week.”
The BGSU softball team will travel to Oxford, Ohio to take on Miami University in a Tuesday doubleheader starting at 3:00 p.m.
