The BGSU softball team (13-9, 1-1 MAC) returned home to Meserve Field for the first time this season to host the Central Michigan Chippewas (10-11, 1-1 MAC) in a doubleheader to start conference play on Saturday, winning the first game 1-0 and losing the second game 7-4.
GAME ONE
The Falcons escaped the top of the first inning cleanly, not allowing a single runner to get on base. In the bottom of the inning, freshman outfielder Hannah Simko struck out, looking for a full count. Senior utility Katie Hutter got walked to first, but the Chips forced two more strikeouts to end the inning.
Falcon senior pitcher Mackenzie Krafcik walked two hitters at the top of the second. Chips catcher Alexa Carter hit a line drive to center field, but despite a Falcon error, the double play was made to end the half-inning. The Falcons went scoreless as well.
The Falcon infield got three consecutive putouts at first to send CMU to the dugout. The first actual hit of the game came from junior outfielder Peyton Steffes, who got to first on a hit to right field. She then stole second base. Simko struck out, bringing Hutter up to bat. On a full count, she hit a flyout to center field, keeping the game scoreless.
BG held the Chips scoreless again. Junior infielder Taylor Behrendt hit a double to left field. She did not score, however, keeping the score 0-0 (with only three total hits between the two squads) after four complete innings.
A fly out to center field, caught by Steffes, ended CMU’s offensive possession. BG failed to get a runner on base.
Junior shortstop Cameron Kaufman made a leaping defensive play, jumping to catch a ball hit toward left field and getting the out. Steffes tracked a foul ball to right field, getting the final out. At the bottom of the inning, a Central Michigan error—a near-collision in the outfield—allowed Behrendt to get on base while senior outfielder Delaney Davis advanced to second. With two runners on base, Kaufman struck out.
The Falcons got three putouts at first. On offense, Chevalier got walked to first. A fielding error by CMU near first base helped senior middle infielder Hannah Hunt get on base. With runners on first and second, Steffes hit a sacrifice fly, allowing redshirt freshman outfielder Jilliyn Gardner, pinch-running for Chevalier, to get home and deliver the Falcons a 1-0 victory.
Infield play was strong in game one, with Behrendt getting 12 putouts at first base.
“I was excited to take game one of conference play,” head coach Michelle Gardner said. “Mac (Krafcik) is doing a great job.”
GAME TWO
CMU opened the scoring on an RBI from first baseman London Williams. On the next play, Falcon’s miscommunication in the infield allowed sophomore outfielder Jenna Kuzara to run in another score. Later in the inning, an error by sophomore catcher Ava McKee allowed a third Chippewa run. At the bottom of the inning, Simko scored on a deep center-field hit by Behrendt. Behrendt scored on another deep hit to center field, this time by Kaufman.
BG held CMU scoreless at the top of the second, and Behrendt had the possession-ending putout. At the bottom of the inning, junior infielder Rachel Cairo made a diving catch to end the inning.
Kuzara scored again in the third inning, putting the Chips ahead 4-2.
With two outs, an error by Behrendt at first base allowed another Central score. Simko had a deep hit to left field, but Kuzara caught it to end the inning.
Kuzara had a hit to deep center field, which was caught at the warning track for an out. Williams reached second on another pop-up to center field. A fielding error by Kaufman helped junior Grace Koenig get on base. The Chips left both runners on base.
The Falcons went scoreless in the bottom of the fifth with no hits, as Central maintained their 5-2 lead.
BG held the Chips scoreless at the top of the sixth. With two outs and runners on second and third, Steffes hit a fly ball to left field to send both runners home. The Falcons trailed 5-4 at the end of the inning.
Kuzara continued her dominant afternoon with a two-run homer to left field, as the Chips pulled ahead 7-4. At the bottom of the inning with two outs, redshirt sophomore third baseman Addie Martin struck out, sealing a 7-4 win for CMU.
“I think in the first game our defense was better, and we were able to rely on that,” Steffes said. Also, when runners are in scoring position, we need to produce.”
The Falcons host the Chippewas again on Sunday at noon. Coverage can be found at bgfalconmedia.com.
