Bowling Green baseball (6-12, 3-4 MAC) finally returned home to the newly renovated Steller Field after opening the season with 17 straight road games. The Falcons welcomed the Ohio Bobcats (3-19, 1-6 MAC) for their first home series of the year and made history in the process, as BGSU shut out Ohio 7-0.
Following a full offseason renovation that included the installation of turf, new outfield padding and stadium lights, Friday marked the first night game ever played at Steller Field in its over 60-year history. First pitch was moved from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m., setting the stage for a memorable home opener.
“It’s a surreal experience,” senior infielder Sam Seidel said. “Even in pregame, just looking out at the field, it’s come a long way, and we’re so grateful to have it and to be able to have opportunities and experiences like this.”
The lights weren’t the only thing shining; Bowling Green’s offense erupted behind a monster performance from Seidel. The senior went 3-for-4 with four RBIs, including a grand slam—the first home run in the history of the newly renovated field.
Freshman catcher Andrew DiLodovico also impressed, going 3-for-4 with a triple, two singles and an RBI.
“As soon as he slowed the game down and took a deep breath, both offensively and defensively, we thought he could be a special player,” head coach Kyle Hallock said. “We expected him to be the best prep catcher coming out of Michigan, and he’s playing like it right now.”
On the mound, redshirt senior Ethan Stade delivered a dominant performance in front of the home crowd. The left-hander tossed seven shutout innings, allowing just two hits and striking out eight.
“I kind of came into this game thinking they can’t touch me,” Stade said. “That’s what the thought process was against Kent as well, so I just attacked the fastball, which had success.”
Ohio starter Luke Bryant showed a lot of control issues in the bottom of the second, loading the bases with a walk, a single and a hit by pitch. Bowling Green capitalized, with former Bobcat Pauly Mancino driving in the first run after being hit by a pitch. Moments later, Seidel broke the game open with a grand slam over the wall he helped design, giving the Falcons a 5-0 lead.
“The baseball gods were smiling on us today, especially Sam Seidel. We do believe in the baseball gods around here, and it’s a nice sign to know they exist,” Hallock said.
Bryant settled in after that second inning, tossing two hitless frames to finish with four innings pitched, allowing five runs on three hits while striking out three.
The Falcons added insurance in the sixth inning. After redshirt senior infielder Anthony Mitta led off with a double, DiLodovico ripped a triple past a diving right fielder to bring him home. DiLodovico later scored on a groundout by Carter Mottice, extending the lead to 7-0.
Sophomore Carrson Sova entered in relief in the eighth inning and worked out of a bases-loaded jam to preserve the shutout.
“Just be yourself, but control the count,” Hallock said to Sova as he entered the game. “I think this whole game, in the words of Burke Badenhop, whoever controls the rectangle, aka the strike zone, will have the better day at the yard.”
Sova returned for the ninth and shut the door, striking out the final two batters to secure the 7-0 victory.
Bowling Green will look to secure its first series win of the season tomorrow. First pitch is scheduled for 1 p.m.
“Today’s runs do not count tomorrow. It is 0-0, and the Bowling Green Bobcat Nate Kress is on the mound,” Hallock said.
