BGSU softball (2-5) came into the Norman Tournament knowing one thing: It was going to be a gauntlet with the caliber of teams they’ll face off against this weekend. Saturday proved to be no exception to that, with games against Wichita State (7-4) and Abilene Christian (2-9).
Game One vs Wichita State:
The Falcons quickly jumped out to a one-run lead, capitalizing off sophomore shortstop Cameron Kaufman’s run batted in (RBI) single, scoring junior second baseman Hannah Hunt from second base.
The Falcon lead wouldn’t last long, though, as Wichita State quickly timed up Falcon starting pitcher Morgan Beckham (0-3) 1-1 off an RBI single by junior right fielder Jodie Epperson.
The early Shocker attack forced BGSB head coach Michelle Gardner to pull freshman pitcher Morgan Beckham (0.0 innings pitched, one hit, one run, three walks) in favor of senior arm Scarlet Anderson (2.2 innings pitched, eight hits, nine runs, two walks, one strikeouts).
The Shockers then put a five-spot up in the bottom of the second off three Falcon errors, a sacrifice fly by Jodie Epperson, and a single by graduate left fielder Ellee Eck, making it 6-1 Wichita State.
However, the Falcons still had some fight left in them, scoring three runs in the third off singles by Cameron Kaufman, sophomore first baseman Taylor Behrendt, and a Shocker error. From there, it was all Wichita State, with four doubles and a home run by Sami Hood.
BGSU tried to mount a comeback in the top of the fifth, having the bases loaded with one out, but Shocker freshman Ryley Nihart was able to escape the last-minute efforts by the Falcons, securing the win for starting pitcher Ava Sliger (1-0) and bringing the Shockers to a 7-4 record after their 15-4 win over the Falcons.
Game Two vs Abilene Christian:
The Falcons called on freshman arm Sydney Marshall (2.0 innings pitched, six hits, four runs, one strikeout) to toe the rubber in the second game of their trip to Norman.
The Wildcats immediately began their attack with a home run from freshman designated player Taylor Haywood, but Marshall was able to escape the first, only allowing one Wildcat to cross the plate.
In the second, Marshall was again able to get out of a two-on, two-out situation, and that was the spark that the Falcon bats needed.
Taylor Behrendt led off with a walk, followed by three Wildcat errors, and a Hannah Hunt single quickly turned the tides towards a 5-1 Falcon lead after two.
Abilene Christian quickly opened the scoring back up with a four-run inning in the third and tacked on an additional run in the fourth after doubles by junior first baseman Elizabeth Schaefer, designated player Taylor Haywood, a double, and a single by right fielder Taylor Bachmeyer, making the game 6-5 after the fourth.
The fifth and sixth innings went rather quickly, with only three baserunners combined between the two teams. In the seventh, the Wildcats extended their lead by two after another Bachmeyer double and an Ari Maxwell single.
The Falcons seemed to have some late life after a Hannah Hunt double, but Wildcat starter sophomore Ella Beeman (1-0) quickly snuffed out the Falcon spark after two lineouts to centerfield. Beeman and the Wildcats (2-9) came out of Love’s Field with an 8-5 win over the Falcons (2-5).
The Falcons are slated to play the Tulsa Hurricanes (5-6) on Sunday at 11:30 a.m., with games against No. 2 Oklahoma (10-0) and Tulsa at noon and 3:00 p.m., respectively, on Monday. Falcon Media Sports Network’s Henry Kosko will have the recap after the finish of each day’s games.
