Bowling Green State University Athletics
Bowling Green State University
Kent State
Kent State Tops Falcons, 3-2
March 29, 2002 | Softball
March 29, 2002
KENT, Ohio - The Bowling Green State University softball team fell for the first time in Mid-American Conference play this season, dropping a 3-2 contest to Kent State University Friday (March 29). The game was held at the KSU Softball Field.
The Golden Flashes improved to 8-10 overall and 2-1 in MAC play this season, while the Falcons fell from the ranks of the league unbeaten, dropping to 10-10 and 3-1, respectively. BGSU outhit the hosts by a 7-5 count in the contest.
Pitchers Kate Leary and McKenna Houle matched zeroes on the scoreboard into the third inning, before the Flashes broke on top. KSU's Kelly Maehl drew a one-out walk, stole second, took third on a grounder and scored on Megan McGaughey's single up the middle.
Meanwhile, Leary was pitching a gem. She took a perfect game into the fourth inning, and struck out nine of the Falcons' first 11 batters. Junior Libby Voshell broke up the bid for a perfect game, no-hitter and shutout with one swing, however, with a two-out homerun to left. The homer was Voshell's second of the year and the seventh of her career, moving her into a tie for sixth place on the career list.
The Golden Flashes regained the lead, though, with a pair of runs in the bottom of the fourth. Again, the rally began with a walk, as Renee Lynch drew a base on balls to lead off the frame. The next batter, Carrie Eneix, lined a double to right-center to score pinch-runner Abby Molnar. Eneix took third on a grounder before scoring on a Marci Ridenbaugh single.
The Falcons would rally in the sixth inning. After Leary retired the first two batters, the Brown and Orange strung together four consecutive singles. Voshell had her second hit of the day, and senior Renee Rosemeier followed with a hit to move Voshell to second. Junior Crystal Wilson drove in a run with her single, with Rosemeier taking second. Senior Holly Frantz followed with a base hit to center, but Maehl's throw from the outfield cut down pinch-runner Liz Tuza at the plate to end the inning.
Leary retired the Falcons in order in the seventh inning to improve her record to 6-0 on the year. She allowed seven hits in the game, but did not issue a walk and fanned 13.
Houle suffered the loss for BGSU, dropping to 4-5. She allowed only five hits in her complete-game effort, walking three and striking out three.
Voshell and Rosemeier each had two hits for the Brown and Orange, with Voshell scoring both BGSU runs.
The Falcons and Flashes are scheduled to complete their three-game series with a Saturday (March 30) doubleheader. The first pitch of game one is slated for 1:00 p.m.
