BGSU baseball (20-9, 10-4) took two tough losses against Miami (OH) (17-13, 12-2) in 5-2 and 7-4 doubleheader games on Friday.
Both the Falcons and RedHawks came into this Mid-American Conference (MAC) series tied for best record in the conference with 10-2 records.
With two wins over the Falcons, Miami (OH) now has a two-game lead on BGSU in MAC standings.
GAME ONE
A good old-fashioned pitching duel was the headline of the starting pitchers for game one of the doubleheader.
Falcons junior right-hander Jacob Turner and RedHawks redshirt sophomore right-hander Cooper Katskee both got the starts for their teams.
Turner gave the Falcons a spectacular outing through five innings, allowing one run on one hit, four walks, and four strikeouts.
Katskee had a 5.1-inning outing, allowing one run on five hits, two walks and three strikeouts.
The pitching duel would not be complete without terrific defensive efforts by both teams. A combined seven double plays were turned between the two teams.
Junior infielder Sam Seidel made two slick sliding backhands to get outs at first base in the first and third innings for the Orange and Brown.
RedHawks infielder Dominic Krupinski prevented two runs from scoring on a diving double play catch at third base.
BGSU got on the board first in the bottom of the fourth inning when sophomore catcher/outfielder Garrett Wright blasted a home run over the left-field fence.
Miami (OH) struck back quickly with three runs combined in the fifth and sixth innings.
Senior catcher David Novak highlighted those runs with a two-run homer to left field to put the RedHawks ahead 3-1.
The RedHawks broke the game open in the eighth inning when redshirt senior infielder Dillon Baker sent a two-run homer out into left field to push the lead to 5-1.
The Falcons scored one more run in the ninth inning to try and have a last-ditch comeback before the RedHawks shut it down to get the 5-2 win.
GAME TWO
The Orange and Brown looked to freshman right-hander Carrson Sova for game two of the doubleheader.
Sova had a productive day on the mound, making it through five innings with two runs on five hits, four walks and three strikeouts.
Alternatively, Miami (OH) went for a more experienced look on the mound to start the second game, putting the rock in senior right-hander Patrick Mastrian IV’s hands.
Mastrian IV did his job through 4.1 innings, allowing three runs on five hits and two strikeouts.
BGSU struggled to capitalize on early scoring chances, hitting three singles in the first inning before leaving all three runners stranded on bases.
The RedHawks scored first in the second game as Sova walked in a run in the top of the third.
Another run got in for Miami (OH) in the fifth inning as sophomore outfielder Ryan Novak smacked a single through the left-side gap, putting the RedHawks ahead 2-0.
The Falcons get their offense rolling in the bottom of the fifth with a three-RBI double by Seidel, giving them their first lead of the game up 3-2.
The RedHawks slapped up a five-run inning in the seventh to take control of the game, going up 7-3.
Multiple two RBI singles from junior outfielder Tommy Harrison and Baker were major contributions to the massive inning.
The Falcons offense fell short in the late innings, only being able to get one run back, ending the game 7-4.
The Orange and Brown left 23 runners on base total between the two games, missing opportunities to get a few much-needed runs.
BGSU pitchers also gave up a total of 16 walks between both games, giving the RedHawks extra chances to grow their leads.
The Falcons will wrap up the three game MAC series against the RedHawks on Sunday with the first pitch at 2:00 p.m.
