While the softball team was focusing on Miami, the Mid-American Conference was focused on starting pitcher Liz Vrabel for the second week in a row.

Vrabel, who pitched a two-hitter Sunday against the Rockets, was named MAC pitcher of the week once again.

Head coach Leigh Ross-Shaw said she was pleased that Vrabel, a freshman is getting the recognition she deserves.

“I think she is showing teams that they are going to have to deal with her for four years, and I know they’re not happy about it,” Ross-Shaw said. “She’s a hard worker, and she’s very humble.” In Ross-Shaw’s five years as coach, the Falcons have never had a pitcher achieve the award in back-to-back weeks.

In light of the success Vrabel is having this season, Ross-Shaw is continuing to give her the ball. She will start the first game of tomorrow’s doubleheader, and could go longer depending on how she is feeling.

“That is her role, and she loves it and thrives on it,” Ross-Shaw said. “We tell her to knock herself out and keep throwing and throwing.”

Jody Johnson and McKenna Houle are also expected to pitch in the second game.

Ross-Shaw said that the pitcher that follows Vrabel today could also depend on what type of strike zone the umpire is calling during the game, to see whose style it favors more.

But Ross-Shaw said she has been impressed with the combination of Houle and Johnson as a tandem.

Ross-Shaw said it’s possible all three Falcon pitchers could get in work in game two.

“We may stick with the same combination,” Ross-Shaw said. “If Liz is feeling strong we may carry her over to the second game, then go to Jody for a couple of innings … and then go to McKenna.

The Falcons finally had an offensive outburst on Sunday, scoring 13 runs in the game two win over the Rockets. Ross-Shaw said she is feeling better about the offense going into the doubleheader.

“These guys keep gaining a little more confidence,” Ross-Shaw said. “To really come out and explode against Toledo, I feel like they’re back on the upswing. Hopefully now that our bats are on again, they will continue to stay hot.”

In Miami, Ross-Shaw said that the Falcons will face an aggressive offense, and BG will look to exploit its defensive advantage over the RedHawks.

“Miami is a very scrappy team, and they are going to come out and swing it,” Ross-Shaw said. “They’re not as strong defensively, so we are going to try to pick them apart that way.”

The doubleheader will begin today at 2 p.m. at the BGSU Softball Field, and the games will conclude the six game Falcon homestand, which has seen BG go 4-0 so far.

After tomorrow, the Falcons will travel to Muncie Ind., for a three-game set against Ball State beginning Saturday.