Bowling Green State University Athletics
Bowling Green State University
EASTERN KENTUCKY
Despite Late Charge Falcons Fall 3-2 to Open Panera Bread Challenge
February 23, 2007 | Softball
Feb. 23, 2007
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. - Bowling Green State University (0-1) posted runs in the fourth and sixth innings, but were unable to beat the Colonels of Eastern Kentucky (2-3) in game one of the Panera Bread Challenge on the campus of the University of Tennessee - Chattanooga. Junior Dawnjene DeLong and senior Jeanine Baca earned the Orange and Brown runs.
While Eastern Kentucky entered the game averaging 8.5 runs through four games, the Bowling Green defense held the Colonels to a season low three runs.
EKU took the early lead in the first inning as Amy Mayrhofer scored her first of two runs in the game. She then put the Colonels up by two runs upon scoring in the third.
The Bowling Green offense landed on the scoreboard in the fourth inning when DeLong reached home for the first Falcon score of the 2007 season. The junior began the scoring drive after being walked by Kelsey Anderson. She then took a quick step to steal second as sophomore Hayley Wiemer struck out swinging. DeLong scored an unearned run when Ashley Zirkle reached the first base bag due to an error by EKU shortstop Keri Macinsky.
After four innings EKU had the 2-1 advantage, but Sheyenne Hussey's homerun in the bottom of the fifth recovered the EKU two run lead.
In the top of the sixth, Baca, the lead-off hitter, singled up the middle to reach first base to begin her trip around the bases. DeLong then advanced Baca to third on a sacrifice bunt picked up by EKU's Anderson. Wiemer's sacrifice fly to center field drove Baca home.
In the loss, Weimer struck out four of the 29 batters she faced in seven innings.
The Falcons closed the game with two runs on as many hits, while the Colonels recorded three runs on seven hits.
Bowling Green faces Maine in game two of opening day action. First pitch will be thrown at 2:30 p.m.
