Getting swept in the opening Mid-American Conference series, the Bowling Green baseball team brings an eight-game losing streak into the second conference weekend.
Northern Illinois comes into the series with just an 11-12 overall record, but took two out of three over Buffalo in its first MAC series. BG is 5-14 overall and remains winless in the conference.
With the poor start to the conference season, the Falcons understand that this weekend will help define their season going forward.
“This upcoming weekend is crucial. Nobody is going to feel sorry for us, but we have to pick it up in all phases and get on a roll,” said head coach Danny Schmitz. “Over one-third of the season is already behind us, so we need to get going and find a way to
turn it around.”
However, the Falcons have some positives to build on going into the weekend.
BG has three players hitting at or over .300 in Greg Basalyga [.339], Trey Keegan [.333] and Randy Righter [.300]. Between the trio, they have combined for 15 doubles, five homeruns and 40 RBIs.
This includes the top-two on the team in each of the three categories while Keegan also leads the team in
runs scored.
BG has had its fair share of struggles as well.
The Falcons have committed 30 errors as a team including a handful of errors during their opening series in the MAC. This hindered them in an array of close games.
They have struggled on the mound as well, throughout nearly the entire staff.
Just one pitcher, Tony Landi, has an ERA below 4.00. This does not include any of the starting pitchers, with the best ERA being a 5.53 from Friday starter, Andrew Lacinak. Closer Trevor Blaylock holds an ERA of 7.54,
remaining winless.
Eight of the 12 pitchers for the Falcons carry a ‘batting average against’ over .300 with Lacinak on the cusp at .299.
These team struggles throughout the entire roster have hindered the Falcons’ chance to edge out close games and get the team out of its early season losing skid.
However, BG faces an under-.500 team this weekend and has a chance to right the ship as it approaches mid-season.
