Bowling Green State University Athletics
Bowling Green State University
MARSHALL
BG Bounces Back, Blanks Marshall, 4-0
February 14, 2003 | Softball
Feb. 14, 2003
LAS CRUCES, N.M. - Freshman Liz Vrabel fired a three-hit shutout in her collegiate debut as the Bowling Green State University softball team downed Marshall University, 4-0, Friday (Feb. 14). The game was the Falcons' second of the day in the New Mexico State Tournament at Presley Askew Field.
With the win, the Falcons improve to 1-1 on the young season. BGSU opened the 2003 campaign with a 6-5 loss to San Jose State University on Friday morning. Marshall, a 4-2 winner over host NMSU earlier in the day, dropped to 1-1 on the year.
The Thundering Herd mounted the first serious threat of the day, loading the bases with one out in the bottom of the third inning. But, Vrabel struck out both Amanda Williams and Leigh Wintter to end the would-be rally.
Then, the Falcons got on the board in the fourth. BG loaded the bases with no outs against MU starter De'Shaun Drake, on a walk to freshman Gina Rango, a bunt single by junior Jenifer Kernahan and an infield hit by senior Crystal Wilson. Then, redshirt junior Liz Tuza's sacrifice fly scored Rango with the only run the Falcons would need. With two outs, MU reliever Sarah Chamberlain was greeted by senior Kandice Machain, who drew a walk to plate Kernahan.
BGSU doubled the lead in the sixth, on a pair of unearned runs thanks to a Marshall error. Freshman Abby Habicht and Tuza each scored when freshman Lindsay Heimrich reached on that MU miscue.
Vrabel went all the way en route to her first win and shutout as a Falcon. She issued six walks, but struck out nine Marshall batters. Herd leadoff hitter Jessica Williams drew four of those walks. The battery of Vrabel and Kernahan helped preserve the shutout, thwarting all four MU stolen-base attempts on the day.
At the plate, Habicht and Kernahan each had two of the Falcons' six hits. Neither team had an extra-base hit in the contest.
Drake took the loss for the Herd, allowing a pair of runs in three-and-two-thirds innings. Chamberlain pitched three-and-a-third innings of relief, surrendering two runs (both unearned). Each MU pitcher walked three batters, and the two hurlers combined for only one strikeout.
The Falcons now hold a 17-1 advantage in the all-time series with Marshall, and BGSU has captured the last nine series meetings. The teams, both members of the Mid-American Conference, are not scheduled to meet again in 2003.
The Falcons continue weekend tournament action, facing host NMSU (12:30 p.m. locally; 2:30 p.m. Eastern) and Southwest Texas State (4:30 p.m. local time) in Saturday action, and meeting Indiana in the team's lone contest Sunday.
