BGSU softball (2-2) took their second win of the season against Monmouth (0-4) in a noon game, losing to USC Upstate (3-1 in the second game of an invitational in Spartanburg, SC. The 9-1 first game victory marked the second win of the season under Michelle Gardner, bringing the Falcons to 2-2 after two double-headers. 

Nine runs is the most BGSB has scored since their 11-piece on April 27, 2024, against Northern Illinois. Through a four run fifth inning and three run seventh, all but two Falcons went without reaching base, 11 hits and four walks across seven innings of offense. 

Left fielder Peyton Steffes and second baseman Hannah Hunt both hit home runs, Steffes 2/3 with two runs, a double, walk and RBI, and Hunt 3/3 with two runs, a double and six RBIs. Both players hit the first home run of their career against the Hawks. 

The pitching side was equally as good, only three hits allowed and one earned run for starter and freshman Sydney Marshall combined with one-inning reliever Madi Young. 

USC Upstate provided a more difficult challenge for BG, the Spartans taking eight run mercy-rule and a shutout in five frames of offense for BG. 

Spartan starter, junior Maddie Drerup, pitched five innings allowing only one Falcon hit through sophomore short stop Cameron Kaufman and striking out three batters. Gardner threw three pitchers, Mackenzie Krafcik and Young being tagged for four and three runs allowed, Scarlet Anderson one in two innings of work. 

BGSU’s bright spot offensively was Steffes, the sophomore reaching base twice on two walks in the leadoff spot. She leads the team in batting average, OPS, hits, doubles, total bases, slugging percentage, walks and OBP through four games. 

The Falcons held a 2-1 record in the time between the first and second game of the double header, the first lead BG has had in a season (not including first game wins) since May 24, 2022.