Bowling Green State University Athletics
Falcons In Stretch Run for MAC Title
May 14, 2002 | Baseball
May 14, 2002
Bowling Green, Ohio -
Falcons Play Final Non-Conference Opponent
BGSU travels to East Lansing, Mich., on Wednesday, May 15, for its final non-conference game of the 2002 season when it plays Michigan State (4 p.m.). The Falcons will play MSU at Kobs Field. MSU is 31-16 overall and 12-12 in the Big Ten Conference.
BGSU Hosts Akron In Final Series of the Season
Bowling Green hosts the University of Akron this weekend (May 17-19) at Warren Steller Field in the final Mid-American Conference series for both teams. The Zips (18-27 overall, 8-15 MAC) took the final three games of a four-game series a year ago from the Falcons and spoiled the final weekend of the 2000 campaign when they took two of four games, eliminating BGSU from that year's MAC postseason tournament. It will mark the final regular-season action for any BGSU team in the MAC East Division since the Falcons move to the West Division next year.
A Lot On the Line for Falcons
There will be a lot on the line in this weekend's four-game series vs. the University of Akron at Warren Steller Field. The Falcons enter the weekend one and a half games behind first-place Kent State for not only the MAC East Division crown, but the chance to host the 2002 MAC postseason tournament next week (May 22-25). The team with the best winning percentage in league play earns the right to host the four-day tournament. An East Division title would be the fourth for BGSU in the last five years and would assure a 30-win season for the fourth time in the last five years.
BGSU Takes Series vs. Kent State for First Time in 13 Years
The Falcons took three of four games last weekend (May 10-12) at Kent State to move into East Division title contention. It also marked the first series win vs. the Flashes in 13 years for BGSU. The last time BGSU won a series from KSU was in 1988 (3-to-1). Since then, the Falcons had split three series and lost 10.
Head Coach Danny Schmitz
Danny Schmitz (Eastern Michigan '79) is in his 12th season as head coach of the Falcons. He recorded his 300th collegiate coaching victory on Feb. 17, 2002, at Tennessee with BGSU's 15-11 decision. On Saturday, May 11, Schmitz earned his 325th collegiate coaching victory with a 10-6 win at Kent State. His overall record is 325-295-4 (.524 pct.) overall and at BGSU. Bowling Green's MAC record with Schmitz as coach is 175-162-1 (.519 pct.) while the Falcons have won three MAC East Division Championships, two MAC Tournament titles and advanced to the NCAA Regional twice during his tenure.
Two Falcons Named Players of the Week
Sophomores Andy Hudak and Kyle Knoblauch were named MAC Hitter and Pitcher of the Week on May 13. Hudak batted .625 (10-for-16) with nine RBIs, seven runs scored, three doubles and two home runs. He finished the four-game series with a 1.188 slugging pct. and improved his hitting streak to eight games, a career-best. Knoblauch pitched a complete, seven-inning game victory at KSU, winning 7-2. The right-hander allowed 10 hits (nine singles) while walking just one and striking out three. He improved his record to 5-1 and 3-0 in league play.
Career Records Falling at BGSU
Several Falcons either own or are in the process of establishing school records at Bowling Green. SR outfielder Len Elias has set four career records this year while SR shortstop Nick Elrod has broken two career records. Elias is currently the career-leader in at-bats (685, was 664), runs scored (196, was 183), doubles (54, was 41) and total bases (396, was 345). Elias is second all-time in hits (8 away) and runs-batted-in (one away). Elrod leads BGSU in career assists (537, was 508) and games played (209, was 204).
Kelly In the Hunt
JR Kelly Hunt is a candidate for MAC Player of the Year and All-America at first base. Hunt set a new single-season record for RBIs last weekend with 64, passing Lee Morrison who had 63 last season. He is two home runs away from Morrison's record of 18, also set last year. This week, he is among the top-three MAC hitters in six categories, including the league leader in RBIs (65). Hunt is nationally ranked this week in RBIs (10th), home runs (24th) and batting average (T-39th). He is fourth on BGSU's all-time home run list with 30. Hunt was twice named MAC East Division POW this season (April 8 & 22).
Loomis On the Loose
JR Corey Loomis is an All-America candidate at second base this year. Loomis is among the MAC leaders in batting average, hits, home runs, triples, runs scored, total bases, on-base pct. and slugging pct. He is ranked 48th nationally with his .405 batting average. Loomis has contributed to the Falcons turning a league-high 53 double plays.
Home, Sweet Home
Bowling Green is 13-3 at Warren Steller Field in the 2002 season. The Falcons have outscored opponents at Steller Field 157-96, averaging 9.8 runs per game and batting .370 compared to opponents' .286 avg. Of the 64 home runs hit this year by Bowling Green, 31 have come at Steller Field. BGSU's all-time record at Warren Steller Field since its completion in 1963 is 274-192-7 (.587 pct.). Over the last nine years, the Falcons have a 138-54 record (.719 pct.).
Outstanding In Their Field
The BGSU defense leads the MAC with a .966 fielding pct. (1,124 putouts, 513 assists, 57 errors). Just 11 Falcons have committed an error this season while only four have committed four or more errors. BGSU has turned a league-high 53 double plays in 2002.
Nationally-Ranked As a Team
BGSU is ranked nationally as a team in both batting average and runs scored per game. The Falcons are T-21st in the nation with a .327 batting average and are T-28th with 8.2 runs scored per game. BGSU ended last season ranked No. 1 in batting average (.360) and slugging percentage (.599). Bowling Green leads the Mid-American Conference in team batting and team fielding.
