Things were perfect for the Bowling Green baseball team in Bradenton, Fla. this past week.
They won the first six games of their trip down south over break and the weather was favorable. Only one of their games got canceled all week and their hitting, pitching and especially fielding, was solid.
That’s when they ran into Indiana. The Hoosiers made life miserable for the Falcons in their finale. Drumming them 12-2 and sending the Falcons home with one loss on the week.
“We played very, very well,” BG head coach Danny Schmitz said. “All except Saturday, which was our getaway day.”
The Falcons got some cracks early in the game, but couldn’t keep up with the Hoosiers as they fell behind early.
Indiana pitcher Josh Lewis hurled a strong game against the Falcons, allowing one run while striking out seven.
“He kind of shut us down,” Schmitz said. “We didn’t get to him until the eighth inning.”
Even after finishing the week with a loss, the Falcons can look back on their spring trip with confidence.
BG averaged nine runs per game and followed heavy-hitting Nolan Reimold most of the way. In the team’s last five games, the junior hit 8-for-18 with three triples, two doubles and a home run to go with eight RBIs.
The Falcons were more impressive in the field, where they finished with a .971 fielding percentage on the week. Not only is the percentage impressive but it’s made even better when considering BG has yet to practice outside. The most they’ve done so far is take fly balls in parking lots, according to Schmitz.
The Falcons also turned 10 double plays in their seven-game road trip.
Probably the shakiest area for BG was their pitching, but even so, they had some good efforts.
“The starters were strong,” Schmitz said. “Especially Keith Laughlin and Burke Badenhop, each of them had two solid starts on the spring trip.”
The Falcons did prove to be clutch, as two of their games were come-from-behind victories.
Even with an 8-2 record, BG knows conference play is right around the corner and there is still a lot to do to prepare.
“We’ve still got some work to do with our youngsters on the mound and our middle relievers,” Schmitz said.
The Falcons will host a game tomorrow against Findlay at 2 p.m. if the weather permits.
