No. 2 Story Of 2012-13: Baseball's Surprising Run To NCAA Tournament
July 29, 2013 | Baseball, General
For the fourth year in a row, BGSU Athletics will be counting down the top stories of the year all summer long. 2012-13 was a banner year for athletics at BGSU and the list of best moments of the year is arguably the strongest since beginning this annual event.
We will release the list one at a time throughout the summer until the No. 1 story of the year is announced on Aug. 5 -- just as BGSU football camp gets underway and the 2013-14 season has officially started! Don't forget to purchase your season tickets NOW!
Heading into the final day of the regular season, the Bowling Green baseball team needed a win just to earn one of the top eight spots in the Mid-American Conference and a trip to the MAC Tournament. Trailing Buffalo 4-2 in the bottom of the eighth, it looked as if the season was about to be over. But the Falcons scored a run in the eighth and then got a two-out walk-off triple from Patrick Lancaster in the bottom of the ninth for a 5-4 win that kept BGSU's season alive (FOR GAME RECAP, CLICK HERE).
When the dust settled, Bowling Green was the No. 6 seed and faced one of the MAC Tournament favorites, Northern Illinois. Again BGSU had to battle from behind, scoring runs in the seventh and eighth to tie the game and then posting a two-run 11th for a 6-4 victory (FOR GAME RECAP, CLICK HERE). Over the next few days, Bowling Green faced rival Toledo three times, picking up two wins to advance to the MAC Championship game.
In the MAC Championship, BGSU played a Ball State team that sent its All-American pitcher to the hill. After four scoreless innings, Bowling Green got to the Cardinals in the fifth with a seven-run frame and BGSU's Nick Bruns looked like the All-American. He went all nine innings on the mound, giving up just four hits in the 7-0 win and earning MAC Tournament MVP honors (FOR GAME RECAP, CLICK HERE).
With the victory, Bowling Green earned a trip to the Lousville Regional for the NCAA Tournament. While the Falcons were eliminated in losses to No. 15 Louisville and Oklahoma State, BGSU was the surprise of the NCAA Tournament and represented the MAC well.
Fans can review previous top 10 lists by clicking any of the links below:
2011-12 Top 10; No. 1 Moment - BGSU hockey makes improbable run to the Joe
2010-11 Top 10; No. 1 Moment - Bill Frack announces $10 million gift to BGSU men's basketball
2009-10 Top 10; No. 1 Moment - The Freddie Barnes Story
Countdown of the Top Ten Stories of 2012-13
No. 1 - Released Aug. 5
No. 2 - Baseball's Stunning Run To MAC Tournament Title And NCAA Tournament Bid
No. 3 - Brooke Pleger Wins MAC, Regional Titles; Earns All-American Status
No. 4 - Three BGSU Coaches named MAC Coach of the Year
No. 5 - Chris Kingston named Director of Athletics
No. 6 - Dr. Lee and Marge Meserve announce transformational gift to athletics
No. 7 - Chris Jones dominates defensively
No. 8 - BGSU swimming skyrockets up MAC standings
No. 9 - Jamilah Ali and Alyssa Nocella win MAC gymnastics championships
No. 10 - BGSU Football plays in the Military Bowl
Other Notable Moments