BGSU softball (6-17, 1-2 MAC) came into Saturday’s doubleheader looking to build off their Friday win but fell short in both games against Buffalo at Nan Harvey Field.
A late rally forced extra innings in Game 1, but a walk-off in the eighth sealed a 4-3 loss. In Game 2, the Falcons were able to drive in more runs, but an early deficit proved too much to overcome in a 10-6 defeat.
Game 1: Falcons Push It to Extras but Fall in Walk-Off Loss
The first game of the day was a test of resilience. Bowling Green fell behind early, struggling to find offense through five innings as Buffalo built a 3-0 lead.
It wasn’t until the sixth that the Falcons broke through, with Peyton Steffes driving in Taylor Behrendt to put Bowling Green on the board.
That momentum carried into the seventh. Delaney Davis opened the inning with a bunt single, and Kendall Mathews followed with a walk, setting the stage for Behrendt. The sophomore stepped up, delivering a clutch two-run single to center to tie the game at 3-3.
The Falcons had their chance in the eighth but couldn’t capitalize. Buffalo responded, putting runners on second and third before Talynn Williams sent a single into right-center, driving in Miranda Zipp and securing the walk-off win for the Bulls.
Even in the loss, Behrendt’s performance stood out. She went 3-for-4 with two RBIs, leading a late-inning charge that nearly flipped the game. Steffes added two hits and an RBI, while Mackenzie Krafcik was solid, allowing just one earned run through 7.1 innings.
Game 2: Early Buffalo Surge Too Much for Falcons’ Late Rally
The second game of the day had no shortage of offense. Bowling Green strung together 11 hits and put together multiple scoring chances, but an explosive third inning from Buffalo made the difference in a 10-6 loss.
The Bulls jumped ahead with three runs in the first and another in the second before the Falcons responded in the third. Katie Hutter got things started with a single, and after a defensive miscue by Buffalo, Behrendt loaded the bases with an infield hit. Hannah Hunt drove in two with a fielder’s choice, and Steffes added an RBI single to cut the deficit to 4-3.
But just as the Falcons gained momentum, Buffalo answered with a five-run bottom of the third. A pair of errors and back-to-back RBI singles put the Bulls back in control, extending the lead to 9-3.
Bowling Green kept pressing.
The Falcons put together another rally in the fifth, loading the bases again. Mathews worked a walk to force in a run, and Hutter followed with a two-run single, making it 9-6. It was another big moment for Hutter, who finished the game with two hits and two RBIs.
Buffalo added an insurance run in the sixth; this time, the Falcons couldn’t find the late spark they needed.
Next, Bowling Green will return home for a non-conference matchup against Green Bay on March 18 before resuming MAC play with a two-game series against Kent State on March 21 and 22.
