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Bowling Green State University Athletics
Bowling Green State University
NORTHERN ILLINOIS
Falcon Comeback in Ninth Falls Short, Lose 6-5
April 17, 2005 | Baseball
April 17, 2005
DeKalb, Ill. - Two unearned runs in the top of the ninth inning weren't enough as Bowling Green's comeback against Northern Illinois fell short, 6-5, in DeKalb on Sunday afternoon. A two-out, bases-loaded error by NIU third baseman Tim Kamin allowed the Falcons to get to within one run in their final at bats, but they could not get any closer.
The comeback try was needed after the Huskies broke open a 3-3 ballgame with three runs in the bottom of the eighth inning, including one unearned. BGSU starter Burke Badenhop lasted into the eighth inning and pitched well, scattering seven hits with eight strikeouts and just two walks. He settled down after surrendering three runs in the first two innings and allowed just one extra-base hit. Of his five runs allowed three were unearned.
BGSU (22-10, 7-5 Mid-American Conference) cut into the early 3-0 deficit with a pair of runs in the top of the third inning. The runs came on a two-out, two-run single by senior Andy Hudak, scoring Eric Lawson and Mike Barnard. The score stayed 3-2 until the seventh inning. That's when Kevin Longstreth pinch-hit for Barnard and led off the inning with a double. He later scored from third base on a sacrifice bunt by Jeff Warnock to knot the game, 3-3.
However, NIU plated three runs on three hits and one Falcon error in the eighth inning before BGSU's last comeback in the ninth failed.
BGSU held a 12-8 advantage in hits with only two of the 20 total hits going for extra bases. On Saturday, only one of the 20 hits recorded by the two teams went for extra bases. Badenhop (6-2) suffered the loss, dropping his first game since March 26 at Ball State. Brian Smith (3-5) earned the win for NIU while Matt German picked up his second save.
Five different Falcons finished with a pair of hits, including Longstreth who was 2-for-2 with two runs scored. For the Huskies, it marked their first league victory (1-8 MAC) and just ninth win overall (9-22) this season.
BGSU travels to IPFW on Tuesday, April 19, for a 3 p.m. (EST) contest then hosts Dayton for a single game at Warren Steller Field on Wednesday, April 20, beginning at 3 p.m. (EST).
