BGSU softball (14-12, 2-4 MAC) split a doubleheader with the Western Michigan Broncos (12-13, 3-3 MAC) on Saturday afternoon. WMU won game one by a score of 1-0, while BGSU won the second game 7-1.
Game One
The first game was a pitcher showcase where Western Michigan prevailed 1-0.
Both teams had their starters perform at a high level in the first game. Bowling Green junior pitcher Alyvia Roth pitched six innings and allowed only one run, three hits, and struck out two hitters during her outing. The lone run allowed was to freshman infielder Bella Duncan, as she smashed a ball over the fence in centerfield for a home run in the third inning.
For the Broncos, freshman pitcher Hannah Potts pitched a complete-game shutout. She struck out nine batters, allowed only one hit, and walked four in her seven dominant innings on the mound. Potts didn’t allow a hit until junior outfielder Peyton Steffes doubled with two outs in the top of the fifth. Potts’ nine strikeouts are a new career-high.
The Falcons left five base runners stranded in their second consecutive 1-0 loss to the Broncos.
Game Two
In the second game of the doubleheader, BGSU’s offense started clicking and won 7-1.
Bowling Green was able to get the scoring started immediately in the second game. Junior shortstop Cameron Kaufman hit a single to score freshman outfielder Hannah Simko. Senior catcher Ashley Chevalier doubled into the left-center gap to score Kaufman and Taylor Behrendt. Senior pitcher Jadeyn Merrill was taken off the mound and replaced by freshman pitcher Ava Geyer.
Redshirt sophomore third baseman Addie Martin proceeded to double down the line to score Chevalier and the fourth and final run of the first inning. Three of the four runs came with two outs, as Merrill was credited with all four counting against her.
Western Michigan was able to get a run back in the bottom of the second inning as senior catcher Tristen Head doubled into center field, bringing home sophomore outfielder Parker Ostach.
BG responded in the top of the third inning with a run of their own. Chevalier singled into left field and brought home senior infielder Hannah Hunt.
The next score wouldn’t come until the top of the fifth, as Martin blasted a two-out solo shot into left field. Martin batted 4-for-4 in the second game with three extra-base hits.
Then in the sixth, Steffes tripled into the outfield gap to score Simko and make the Falcons lead 7-1. Simko had three singles in the game to put pressure on WMU’s pitching staff.
Through all the offensive output, the Orange and Brown enjoyed the pitching of sophomore pitcher Morgan Beckham. Beckham pitched a complete game, only allowing one unearned run. Despite giving up eight hits and three walks, Beckham left 11 Western Michigan base runners short of reaching home to prevent any big innings.
BG will return home for a weekend series against Buffalo at 3 p.m. on Friday. Stay tuned for previews, features, recaps, and more regarding BGSU softball on bgfalconmedia.com.
