Bowling Green softball was swept by Northern Illinois in their doubleheader Friday, being outhit 15-5 across the two games.
Northern Illinois won Game One 9-0 via the five-inning run rule.
The first two innings ran smoothly for both defenses, with neither team scoring. In the third inning, Bowling Green’s defense collapsed, allowing six runs on five hits and three errors.
Senior starting pitcher MacKenzie Krafcik only threw for 2 ⅔ innings. Junior Alyvia Roth entered in relief, allowing three runs on one hit and four walks. In only 1 ⅓ innings, she threw 40 total pitches.
BG committed five defensive errors in the game. Only three of NIU’s runs were earned. The last time the Falcons had five or more errors was April 15, 2025, when they had six errors in a 10-1 home loss to Ohio.
“I thought Mac threw well and we had some unfortunate mistakes that, honestly, we haven’t been making,” said Gardner. “I’m like, ‘What is going on?’”
The standout batter for Northern Illinois was Danielle Stewart. She went 4-for-8 through the double header, scoring two runs and tallying four runs batted in.
However, Bowling Green’s offense could only collect two hits in Game One, one from junior Taylor Behrendt and one from sophomore Hanna Massaro.
“I mean, it’s the same story we’ve had all season long,” said Gardner. “We did not get enough hits, and they had more than we did.”
The Huskies also won the second game, though it came down to the wire in a 3-1 result.
“I thought we were much better in Game Two,” said Gardner. “I mean, we made an adjustment from Game One.”
The one run was scored on a solo home run from redshirt sophomore third baseman Addie Martin in the seventh inning. But, there were still only three hits in the game. Bowling Green left five runners on base in both games.
“It’s frustrating because I feel like we’re better. But, you know, the record’s not saying ‘better,’” said Gardner. “It’s just a matter of putting everything together, and it just hasn’t all come together.”
The Falcons will finish their weekend series versus NIU on Saturday. The first pitch is set for 1 p.m. at Meserve Field.
