BGSU baseball returns to Steller Field to face Miami (OH) in a three-game series in a battle of the top two teams in the Mid-American Conference (MAC). Both teams are tied for first in the MAC standings with a 10-2 conference record.
If the Falcons sweep Miami, they would move to 23-7, which would match the best record through 30 games in program history, tying the 1977 team.
Due to weather, the teams will play a doubleheader on Friday, with the first game beginning at 11 a.m. and the second game starting around 30-40 minutes after the final out. Falcon Media Sports Network’s Tyler Kavalecz and Coyle Withrow will have the call on WBGU 88.1 FM for the first game and Falcon Radio for the second game.
Meanwhile, the Falcons and RedHawks are scheduled to wrap up the series on Saturday, with a start time still to be announced.
Matchup History
BGSU and Miami have faced each other 185 times before, with the RedHawks leading the all-time series 108-77.
Bowling Green swept Miami in Oxford last season. However, the Falcons have not swept the RedHawks at Steller Field since 2021.
Scouting Bowling Green
BGSU has won four straight and has a 20-7 overall record this season, the best in the MAC.
Dating back to last season, the Falcons are 34-8 in conference play in the regular season.
Bowling Green’s offense is one of the better in the conference, as they rank fourth in the MAC with a .304 batting average and a .407 on-base percentage (OBP).
BGSU also ranks second in the MAC with 294 hits and 43 stolen bases this season. Additionally, the Falcons are third in the conference with 134 walks drawn.
BG’s pitching has also been solid this season.
The Falcons have a 6.35 earned run average (ERA), which ranks third in the MAC.
The Orange and Brown also have 12 saves and 236 strikeouts this season, ranking first and third in the conference, respectively.
However, control has been an issue at times, as Bowling Green pitchers also lead the conference with 33 wild pitches.
Scouting Miami
The RedHawks have been one of the best teams in the MAC this season, entering the series with a 15-13 overall record.
Miami has won every conference series so far, winning two out of three games against Toledo and Eastern Michigan while sweeping Northern Illinois and Western Michigan.
However, they are coming off a 6-4 non-conference loss to Cincinnati on Tuesday.
Miami’s offense has been arguably the best in the MAC this season.
They lead the conference with 44 home runs, a .527 slugging percentage, a .434 OBP and 168 walks drawn while ranking second with a .308 batting average, 247 runs scored and 10 triples.
Meanwhile, their pitching has been more of a mixed bag.
The RedHawks maintain a 7.87 ERA, the third-worst in the MAC. However, they also hold opponents to a .284 batting average, the second-best mark in the conference.
Falcon Four Players to Watch
Garrett Wright (Bowling Green #3)
The sophomore catcher/outfielder has been Bowling Green’s best hitter this season.
Wright ranks second in the MAC with a .520 OBP and three triples, third with a .417 batting average, fourth with a 1.208 on-base plus slugging percentage (OPS) and 39 hits, fifth with 30 runs scored, eighth with eight doubles and 10th with a .688 slugging percentage.
The Massillon, Ohio, native has 13 multi-hit games this season and is 8-17 at the plate in the past four games.
Brady Birchmeier (Bowling Green #43)
The sophomore first baseman has been BG’s biggest power threat.
Birchmeier ranks second in the MAC with 38 runs batted in (RBI) and fifth with eight home runs.
The New Lothrop, Michigan, native has driven in eight runs in the past five games and had 11 multi-RBI games this season.
Appelwick is arguably the best hitter in the entire conference.
The redshirt junior infielder leads the MAC with a 1.243 OPS, a .769 slugging percentage, 13 home runs and 41 RBIs. He also ranks second in the conference with 40 runs scored and 26 walks drawn.
The Madison, South Dakota, native hit two home runs and drove in four runs in three games against Bowling Green last season.
The senior catcher is on an absolute tear, as he is currently riding a 14-game hitting streak.
Over the hot stretch, Batusich is hitting at a .382 clip and has tallied 21 RBIs, six doubles, three home runs, nine walks and just three strikeouts.
Batusich ranks fourth in the MAC with 33 runs scored, fifth with a .493 OBP, sixth with 37 hits, seventh with 21 walks drawn and ninth with 31 RBIs.
The Joliet, Illinois, native is batting .352 on the season, which is the second-best mark on the team.
