BGSU softball (16-20) (4-10) faced rival The University of Toledo Rockets (12-25) (8-7) in a doubleheader, highlighting another battle of I-75 performance. The two games add to a rivalry dating back to 1981, where the record for BGSU now stands at 71-51.
Starting early in game one, the Falcons scored first off two errors against the Rockets, taking advantage of their opponents’ mistakes.
“We did a couple of things we so needed to do, but it’s just a matter of keeping it going,” said head coach Michelle Gardner.
BG kept consistency from here on out in game one, earning a run in three consecutive innings that expanded the lead over UT. Using this to their advantage even when being outhit 6-5 by the Rockets.
Leading the Orange and Brown to success in game one was junior outfielder Peyton Steffes, who recorded two triples as well as an RBI with two hits during four at-bats.
For game two, Steffes continued her performance, notching another sheet of one hit on three at-bats as well as a walk.
“She finds a way to get things done; she’s just competing so hard right now. She won her lead-off position,” said Gardner on Steffes. “She’s just really done a great job, and I’m proud of her for stepping up.”
Game one set the foundation for the day, heading into game two for BGSU, led off by Stefes as a leader for Bowling Green.
Back-to-back sacrifice flies allowed the Rockets back into the game, taking a 2-1 lead in the top of the fourth inning. Toledo led for the first time in either of the two games during the doubleheader.
Four hits alone in the inning for the Rockets catapulted them over the Falcons, especially sophomore outfielder Samantha Bolding, who recorded both a hit and a run during the inning.
Continuing their success, Toledo earned four runs in the top of the fifth inning, on four hits as well as a home run by sophomore infielder Payton Pudlowski. The fourth and fifth innings are where the Midnight Blue and Gold made their mark, scoring more runs in those innings than at any time during the doubleheader.
“I’m happy that we took a game… let’s get the first game, I think we have an opportunity,” said Gardner. “But we have to come out and play.”
Two scores for Bowling Green off an RBI double by senior middle infielder Hannah Hunt, keeping the Falcons within two.
Her double meant at least one run scored in every frame of the fourth as well as the fifth inning.
Concluding the day where Bowling Green outscored the Rockets 9-6 during the course of two games, yet split the day as BGSU was outhit 10-5 in the second game.
Up next, Bowling Green will hit the road to Athens to take on the Ohio Bobcats with a doubleheader on Saturday, April 11, starting at 1:00 p.m. and a single game on Sunday.
Falcon Media Sports Network will have a recap of the series on bgfalconmedia.com.
