Bowling Green State University Athletics
Bowling Green State University
LOUISVILLE
Louisville Downs Falcons, 5-2
March 07, 2003 | Softball
March 7, 2003
LOUISVILLE, Ky. - The host University of Louisville used a four-run third inning to defeat the Bowling Green State University softball team, 5-2, Friday (March 7) at Ulmer Stadium. The game marked the first contest for the Falcons in nearly three weeks.
The Falcons drop to 2-4 on the season, while the Cardinals won for the fourth consecutive game to improve to 4-6.
BGSU took an early 1-0 lead in the first inning when junior Candace Fenton drew a walk, moved to second on a wild pitch and scored on a double by senior Libby Voshell.
The Cardinals answered in the bottom half of the inning, as Sara Bausher singled, took second when Lacy Wood grounded out and scored on a hit by Keola Calderon.
UL put up a four-spot in the third, beginning with a Bausher double. She advanced to third on a passed ball and crossed the plate on a single by Nicole Sparks. Wood followed with a base hit, and Aja Sherman's single brought Sparks home to give the Cards a 3-1 lead. Wood scored when Lisa McMillan grounded out and Sherman crossed the plate on a Falcon error to make it a 5-1 game.
The Falcons added a run in the fourth when Voshell doubled to lead off the inning, took third when freshman Gina Rango flied out and came home on junior Valerie Tipton's single. But, BGSU could draw no closer.
Cardinal reliever Jessica Rak (2-2) picked up the win, allowing four hits and striking out five while holding the Falcons scoreless in three-and-two-thirds innings. Offensively, the Cardinals had 10 hits in the contest, led by Bausher's 3-for-4 effort. She had a double and scored two runs, while Lisa Estes was 2-for-2 with a double.
BGSU junior starter Jody Johnson (1-1) took the loss, allowing four earned runs on seven hits in two innings. She struck out two batters. Freshman Liz Vrabel pitched four innings of three-hit relief, allowing only an unearned run. At the plate, Voshell paced the Falcons with a 2-for-3 performance. Voshell had two doubles, scoring one BG run and driving home the other.
BGSU will remain in Louisville for three games in this weekend's Red and Black Classic. The Falcons will open tourney play with a Saturday (March 8) game vs. Illinois State University (6-8), starting at 11:00 a.m. at Ulmer Stadium. Host UL will face Ohio University (1-1) at 3:00 p.m. On Sunday, the Falcons will face both UL and OU.
