BGSU softball (7-2) experienced a mixed bag in Madeira Beach, Florida, on Friday, starting the day with a dominant 13-4 run-rule victory over Illinois State (7-6) before falling in a weather-shortened 6-2 battle against UIC (8-9-1).
Game One vs. Illinois State
The Falcons opened the day by unleashing a chaotic offensive showcase, run-ruling Illinois State 13-4 in five innings.
Starting pitcher Mackenzie Krafcik commanded the circle, picking up the complete-game win to improve to 4-0 on the season. She scattered seven hits, striking out four and allowing just two walks.
Freshman outfielder Hannah Simko was the undisputed star of the offense, going a perfect 3-for-3 with a walk, two runs, and three RBIs. Senior catcher Ashley Chevalier and junior shortstop Cameron Kaufman were equally impressive, each scoring twice and driving in a pair of runs.
BGSU gave themselves a massive early advantage by exploding for eight runs in the first inning, fueled by four hits and six drawn walks. Kaufman got the Falcons on the board with a two-run single, while senior utility Katie Hutter and Simko also delivered RBI singles in the frame.
The Falcons built an 11-0 lead with a three-run second inning, highlighted by an RBI double from redshirt sophomore third baseman Addie Martin and another two-run single from Simko. After the Redbirds scored four times in the top of the fifth to stave off a run-rule loss, Chevalier launched a walk-off two-run homer—the first of her collegiate career—in the bottom of the frame to secure the 13-4 final.
Game Two vs. UIC
In the second matchup, the Falcons found themselves trailing early against UIC, ultimately falling 6-2 after the game was called due to weather after six innings.
UIC got on the board with a pair of first-inning runs, but Bowling Green answered quickly in the top of the second when Martin launched a two-run homer to tie the game. The homer was Martin’s sixth of the season and the 19th of her career.
The game remained tied until the fifth inning, when UIC plated the go-ahead run on a sacrifice fly and followed it up with a two-run single to extend their lead to 5-2. The Flames tacked on another run in the sixth on a combination of a walk, a groundout, and wild pitches.
The Falcons attempted to mount a massive seventh-inning rally when Martin drew a leadoff walk, and sophomore catcher Ava McKee followed up with what would have been the first home run of her collegiate career.
BGSU had closed the deficit to 6-4 with nobody out and the potential tying run coming to the plate, but the game was called off due to lightning in the vicinity. The score reverted to the last completed inning, wiping out the rally and finalizing the 6-2 loss.
Up Next
The Falcons continue play in the Make It Happen Games on Saturday, Feb. 28, going up against Albany at 12:30 p.m. and Colgate at 3 p.m.
