Bowling Green State University Athletics
Bowling Green State University
Charleston Southern
Falcons Win Second Straight Tournament Crown
March 04, 2007 | Softball
March 4, 2007
CHARLESTON, S.C. - If MTV ever lacks subjects for their reality series, "Tiara Girls" they need not look any further than the Bowling Green State University softball team who in their second spring tournament has won their second straight crown. The Champion Falcons posted a +21 run differential and a 5-1 record at the Charleston Southern Tournament. The Orange and Brown move to 9-2 overall.
BGSU joins the likes of Iowa State (2006), Tennessee (2005), the College of Charleston (2004) and UNC Greensboro (2003) as tournament champions.
"Every team we faced down here could be categorized as a scrappy one," said head coach Shannon Salsburg. "These kids won the later innings and scored to put the games away. I am very proud of them because that is not the easiest thing to teach, especially to a younger team. "
After dropping a 4-3 decision to Brown, BGSU took consecutive games over Campbell (4-3), St. Bonaventure (2-0), Providence (8-0), Hartford (8-3) and host Charleston Southern (5-0). The Falcons hit at least one homerun in every game in Charleston and boasts a resume with a nine game streak hitting at least one way downtown. The Falcons are 8-1 when they have sent at least one deep and are 1-1 when they lack a money shot.
Against Hartford
BGSU's Sharon Palma threw five strikeouts in four innings while Emily Gouge added five more to down the Hartford Hawks 8-3. Gouge whipped three K's in the final inning to shut down any comeback possibilities. This was the second time in as many days that the junior was responsible for a three-up, three down inning.
The Falcon offensive charge was lead by Dawnjene DeLong who was 2-3, including a homerun and three RBI's. Co-captains Hayley Wiemer and Ashley Zirkle each drove a run in, while Allison Vallas welcomed two runners home.
"The kids came out and made adjustments to their pitching to put some runs on the board for us," said Salsburg. "Palma and Gouge handled themselves really well today in light of facing Hartford's aggressive bats."
BGSU finished the game with their first double-digit hit count of the season with 11.
Against Charleston Southern
Once again Gouge and Wiemer kept an opponents scoring chances at bay allowing just one hit and striking out nine Buccaneers.
"Those two were studs the entire weekend,' said Salsburg of the dynamic duo.
Wiemer brought her success from the mound to the plate as she went 2-3 on the day with an opposite field homerun, a walk, and three RBI's.
The Falcons held a 1-0 lead through the sixth inning where they shifted into overdrive and scored four. Jocelyn Gray entered the game as a pinch runner for Brittnay Hay who was stationed on second after her two base shot to right field. Gray, who was itching to score, stole third while Emmy Ramsey was at bat. Ramsey's slap to third was given an error on the throw and Gray satisfied her itch to score and put the Falcons ahead 2-0. Jeanine Baca joined Ramsey in the base running efforts with a single and game the Orange and Brown runners on first and third. Baca then advanced to second on a fielders choice outing DeLong. Wiemer stepped up and returned all runners home with her opposite field dong.
Bowling Green will return to the dirt when they double-dip with the St. Bonaventure Bonnies on Wednesday, March 7. First pitch is scheduled to be thrown at high noon.
Final Standings (Record, Run Differential)
1. Bowling Green (5-1, +21)
2. Providence (4-2, +9)
3. Campbell (4-2, +8)
4. Brown (4-2, -3)
5. St. Bonaventure (2-4, -1)
6. Charleston Southern (1-5, -8)
7. Hartford (1-5, -25)
