Bowling Green State University Athletics
Bowling Green State University
CENTRAL MICHIGAN
CMU Completes Softball Sweep, 1-0
April 07, 2001 | Softball
April 7, 2001
MOUNT PLEASANT, Mich. - First, the power went out at the CMU Softball Complex. Then, Central Michigan University's Amber Puchalski shut down the normally powerful Bowling Green State University bats.
Puchalski, a freshman, threw a perfect game as CMU posted a 1-0 win Saturday afternoon (April 7). The win, in the second half of a Mid-American Conference doubleheader, completed a sweep of the teams' three-game weekend series.
Central Michigan improves to 19-15 overall and 9-3 in MAC action, while the Falcons fall to 15-14 and 5-3, respectively.
Puchalski set a CMU record by striking out the first nine batters of the game. She struck out the side in four different innings on the afternoon, and tied her season high with a total of 13.
BGSU junior Jessie Milosek, while not quite as dominating as Puchalski, still held the Chippewas off the scoreboard through the first four innings. The home team, however, finally broke through in the fifth.
Sarah Hamilton singled to lead off that inning, but was erased on a sacrifice bunt attempt by Becky Manson. BGSU third baseman Lynsey Ebel fielded the ball and threw to second base, where shortstop Libby Voshell took the throw for the force-out.
The next CMU batter, Amy Morrison, also tried to move the runner, and was successful. Manson took second base on Morrison's sac bunt. Hope Robertshaw followed with a sharp single to center to plate Manson. The run proved to be all Puchalski would need.
Perhaps BG's best chance for a baserunner came in the sixth. Redshirt freshman Liz Tuza drilled a ball that seemed ticketed for left field. But, third baseman Robertshaw dove to her left and speared the ball with a "snow-cone" grab to keep the perfect game intact.
Puchalski set the rest of the Falcons down to pick up the win and her fourth no-hitter of the season. She improves to 12-6 on the season.
Milosek allowed just the one run and eight hits in her complete-game effort. She struck out two batters and walked one in falling to 5-5 on the year.
Early in the game, a power outage hit the CMU campus. The scoreboard and public address system were inoperational for the remainder of the afternoon.
The Falcons return home for a Tuesday (April 10) doubleheader vs. Ohio University. First pitch is scheduled for 2:00 p.m. at the BGSU Softball Field.
