COLUMBUS, Ohio — BGSU Softball (15-15, 3-6 MAC) lost big by a final score of 18-7 to Ohio State (16-18, 5-4 Big Ten) at Buckeye Field in Columbus, Ohio, Tuesday afternoon. The game was called early after the top of the fifth inning due to the mercy rule, with the Buckeyes holding a nine-run lead.
The Falcons were able to find some offense early, picking up two runs in the first inning courtesy of Ashley Chevalier hitting a single to left field to score a run and Hannah Hunt being hit by a pitch with the bases loaded.
Junior Alyvia Roth started for the Falcons, with each of the first three batters she faced reaching base, leading to Mackenzie Krafcik taking the circle in her place.
Sophomore Lorin Boutte started in the circle for the Buckeyes, pitching just two innings. She only gave up two earned runs in the first, while striking out four batters.
After Krafcik came in, the Buckeyes were able to generate some scoring offense. Taylor Cruse hit the ball in play, scoring a run before being thrown out at first. This would be followed by Emma Tolley hitting a grand slam to center field, putting the score at 5-2 after the first inning.
In the bottom of the second, the Buckeyes continued the onslaught, adding another five runs, bringing the score to 10-2 after two innings.
Sara Tarr and Hadley Parisien hit back-to-back home runs to left field for Ohio State to start the third inning, signalling the end of the night for Krafcik. Head coach Michelle Garder brought in sophomore Morgan Beckham down 12-2.
The Falcon offense came back to life in the fourth inning. Hunt hit a ball deep to center field, good for a triple, which scored Cameron Kaufman and Taylor Behrendt. Addie Martin then hit a single to right field, promptly scoring Hunt and making it a 12-5 ballgame.
In the bottom of the fourth, the Buckeyes delivered the knockout punch, scoring six runs after a long inning for the Bowling Green defense that saw a couple home runs and the Buckeyes going through the batting order.
The Falcons responded with a couple of runs of their own in the top of the fifth. However, they were only able to score two runs before the end of the inning, putting the score at 18-7.
“You guys have thrown so well, we have done really well in the conference and don’t let this game affect what we do this weekend; let’s learn from it and get better,” Gardner said after the game.
Next, the Falcons will go back to Mid-American Conference (MAC) play, facing Kent State in a three-game weekend series at Devine Diamond in Kent, Ohio. The first game of the series will take place on Friday, April 3, with a 3 p.m. first pitch.
