The BGSU softball team (15-19, 3-10 MAC) began its series against the Toledo Rockets (11-24, 7-6 MAC) on Tuesday, losing 11-3.
For BG, it was a story of bats that did not get hot until it was too late. The Falcons logged their first hit in the fourth inning—a single by redshirt sophomore third baseman Addie Martin—and logged just four more hits in the five-inning contest.
Four Falcons were walked, and five were left on base; the team struck out five times, including a swinging strikeout by Martin.
The Falcon defense was able to get outs early but struggled to close out innings; all 11 of Toledo’s runs occurred with two outs.
“Obviously, they hit pretty much everything we threw out there,” head coach Michelle Gardner said. “We’re going to come out and compete (tomorrow) because we don’t have a choice.”
The Rockets out-hit the Falcons 14-5. The Toledo offense had 29 at-bats, compared to 17 for the Orange and Brown.
Hitting has been an issue for BG throughout the season. The team is currently tied for 10th in the conference in batting average at .270, despite being sixth with 947 at-bats. The squad is eighth in total hits, with 256.
The only extra-base hit on the day came from junior right fielder Peyton Steffes, who had a double. Steffes is batting. 316 this season, putting her second on the team behind junior infielder Taylor Behrendt.
Of the Falcons’ three scores, only one came on an actual hit—an RBI single by Behrendt. The others were on a sac fly and a groundout, respectively.
Offense was a struggle in the Falcons’ Kent State series last weekend, in which they were swept and outscored 13-8.
“Not getting timely hits. That has been our M.O. a lot this season,” Gardner said. “The hits are coming; they just are not where we need them sometimes.”
The team will face their rival, the Rockets, again in a doubleheader on Wednesday, which starts at 1:00 p.m. Coverage can be found at bgfalconmedia.com.
