Bowling Green State University Athletics
Falcons Host Titans In Mid-Week Match-Up
April 16, 2008 | Softball
April 15, 2008
Complete Release in PDF Format (19 pages)
BOWLING GREEN, Ohio - The Falcons will wrap-up up their 10 game home stand with the last six home games of the season. The Orange and Brown will host the Detroit Mercy Titans in a mid-week double-header on Wednesday (April 16) at 3:00 p.m. Head Coach Shannon Salsburg and the Falcons will then return to Mid-American Conference to welcome their last two West division opponents. The Falcons will take on the Northern Illinois Huskies in a double-header on Friday with the first pitch being thrown at 1:00 p.m. Salsburg and company will play their last homes two home games against Western Michigan in a two game series Saturday (April 19) at 2:00 p.m. and Sunday (April 20) at 1:00 p.m. The Falcons will honor their three seniors Dawnjene DeLong, Allison Vallas and Emily Gouge on the Sunday (April 20).
FALCONS LIVE FROM THE BGSU SOFTBALL FIELD
For all Falcon fans that can't make it to the live action at the BGSU Softball Field the Falcons will be live via the internet and radio all weekend. Fans can get live updates via GameTracker by visiting www.BGSUFalcons.com. Fans can also listen to game on 1610 WFAL-AM, on Time Warner Channel 21 or on the internet by visiting www.BGRSO.org and clicking on the WFAL link.
MATCH-UPS ON THE DIAMOND
University of Detroit - Titans (4/16 - 3:00 p.m. - DH)
The Orange and Brown will host the Detroit Titans in a mid-week double-header at the BGSU Softball Field ... the Falcons are on an eight game winning streak against Detroit with their last loss to the Titans in 2003 ... the Titans are currently 7-18 overall and 1-7 in the Horizon League, after losing to Cleveland State (1-0, 6-1) ... the Falcons lead the Titans in the all-time series 31-7 ... the last meeting between the two teams was last year as the Falcons swept the Titans (10-2 - 6 inn., 5-3 - 9 inn.) ... in the last ten years the Falcons have swept the Titans in a double-header every season except in 2003, winning 20 of the last 22 meetings.
VALLAS' BIG STICK EARNS MAC EAST PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Senior tri-captain Allison Vallas, Perrysburg, Ohio native was named Mid-American Conference East Player of the Week as announced by MAC offices today (April 15). Vallas was garnered MAC East Player of the Week earlier this season and two other times in her career. She started the week posting one of the two Falcon hits against #6 Michigan's Jordan Taylor, the second best pitcher in the nation with an ERA of 0.49. In game two of BG's double-header home opener against Eastern Michigan, Vallas went a perfect three-for-three with a 3.000 slugging percentage, including to homers that soared over the right field fence, a single and four RBIs. She became only the sixth Falcon to record two homers in a single game. Vallas brought her big stick once again as she went two-for-four with a 1.250 slugging percentage, including a three-run homer and four RBIs against Central Michigan. In the bottom of the eighth Vallas hit a single up the middle to drive in the game-winning run giving the Falcons a 7-6 victory over the Chippewas. For the second straight weekend Vallas was intentionally walked, her third of the season and her career. On the week Vallas went 6-for-13 with a .462 batting average and a 1.154 slugging percentage including three homers and eight RBIs. Defensively she recorded 37 putouts and two assists with only one error for a .975 fielding percentage.
SIX DEGREES OF FALCONS
The mid-week tilt between the Falcons and the Titans will be a homecoming for Detroit's assistant coach Colleen Cardillo, a BG alumnae and former softball player. Cardillo, dawned the Orange and Brown uniform from 1996-2000 filling duel roles as the Falcons' short-stop and catcher. Cardillo can be found in the BGSU record books no fewer than 21 times. This will be the first match-up between Cardillo and her former team.
APRIL "REIGN" BRINGS MAC WINS
The April "reign" has brought with it the blooming of MAC wins for the Falcons. The Falcons are currently 6-2 overall, 6-1 in the MAC and undefeated at home in the month of April. The Falcons are also currently on a three game overall winning and a five game winning streak in MAC play.
THE M&M GIRLS
Most people think of the M&M Boys Mickey Mantle & Roger Maris, however the Falcons have their own M&M duo freshmen Melissa Bott and Missy Bowman are both on hitting streaks. Bott is on a two game hitting streak after recording her first collegiate hit against Michigan State (Mar. 16) and then smashing her first career double against Eastern Michigan (Mar. 21). Bowman is on a four game hitting streak after recording one of the Falcons' two hits one of the two Falcon hits against #6 Michigan's Jordan Taylor, the second best pitcher in the nation with an ERA of 0.49. In the double-header home opener Bowman recorded her second multiple hit game against Eastern Michigan. Bowman's four game hitting streak is her longest of the season as she has also recorded two three game hitting streaks.
WALK IT OUT WIEMER
Junior Hayley Wiemer is known for her big stick making opposing pitchers think twice about throwing to her as she is the most walked player in the Mid-American Conference and 10th most walked hitter in the nation as she has been given first base 21 times in 69 at bats this season. Wiemer is now the all-time most walked Falcon as she has been given first 72 times in her career.
UNTOUCHABLE WIEMER
Hayley Wiemer currently has the most wins and fewest loses in MAC play as she undefeated, 6-0. In league play she has recorded two shutouts and retired 38 batters in 42.0 innings averaging 6.33 strike outs per game.
FEAR THE "V"
Falcons' clean-up hitter Allison Vallas is feared among other Mid-American Conference pitching staffs, which was obvious as she has been intentionally walked by two of the last three MAC opponents. Ball State intentionally walked her twice as the Falcons swept the Cardinals in a two game series (April 5 & 6), which was the first time in her career being intentionally walked. Vallas was intentionally walked against Central Michigan in BG's 7-6 extra inning victory. Vallas' .351 batting average, .636 slugging percentage and 21 RBIs leads the Falcon offense. She is tied with teammate Dawnjene DeLong to lead the Falcons with 27 hits.
FALCONS AT THE TOP OF THE MAC
With the begin of April the Falcons have moved up in the Mid-American Conference leader boards. The Falcons have one or more players in the top ten of the MAC in nine of the twelve hitting categories in overall and MAC play. Senior Allison Vallas is in the top ten of the MAC in seven categories. She is third in the MAC in RBIs (21, .81 per game) and slugging percentage (.636), second in total bases (49, 1.88 per game), fifth in on base percentage (.457), sixth in homer (5, .19 per game), seventh in hits (27, 1.04 per game), ninth in batting average (.351). Senior Dawnjene DeLong is seventh in hits (27, 1.04 per game), eighth in runs scored (17, .64 per game) and in total bases (44, 1.69 per game) and ninth in walks (12, .46 per game). Junior Hayley Wiemer can be found in the top ten on the offense and defensive leader boards. Wiemer is the most walked player in the MAC (21, .81 per game), fifth in on base percentage (.457), sixth in homers (5, .19 per game) and seventh in slugging percentage (.565). On the defensive end Wiemer's 2.57 ERA is the ninth best in the MAC. The Falcon pitching staff is the only team to have three pitchers in the top ten for strikeouts with Emily Gouge at third (70, 8.12 per game), Melissa Bott at eighth (25, 6.25 per game) and Wiemer at tenth (68, 5.83 per game).
In league play Wiemer leads all the pitchers with the most wins and fewest loses, 6-0 and is eighth in strikeouts with 38 averaging 6.33 per game. Gouge is second with 25 strikeouts averaging 9.05 per game.
CAREER HOME RUN RACE
Falcon big guns Allison Vallas and Hayley Wiemer were neck-in-neck last season as they were in the race for the BGSU single season home run record, which Wiemer now holds. Both veterans are now in the race for the BGSU career home run record. The record is currently held by Gina Rango with 26 career homers. Wiemer and Vallas are tied with the second most career long balls (17) after they both hit their fourth homer of the season in the home opener double-header against Eastern Michigan (April 11) and their fifth homer of the season against Central Michigan (April 12). Vallas' two long ball performance against Eastern Michigan (April 11) made her the sixth Falcon to hit two homers in a game joining Wiemer who has done so twice, in the 2008 season opener against Lipscomb (Feb. 22) and once last season.
FALCONS DEFEAT CHIPPEWAS IN EXTRA INNINGS, 7-6
On a very cold and damp Saturday afternoon (April 12) the Falcons battled in extra innings to beat Mid-American West division leader, Central Michigan, 7-6 to extend their winning streak to three games overall and five games in MAC play. Salsburg's squad is now 7-19 overall and 7-2 in the MAC.
FALCONS SWEEP EAGLES IN HOME OPENER
After 23 straight games on the road to open the 2008 season BGSU softball Head Coach Shannon Salsburg and the Falcons had the homecoming they were looking forward to as they swept the Eastern Michigan Eagles, shutting them out in game one, 3-0 and sealing the deal in game two, 9-4. On a windy opening day, Salsburg and company got their revenge on Mid-American Conference West division opponent Eastern Michigan after losing to the Eagles earlier in the season in a non-conference tilt. The Falcon sticks were bigger than ever out hitting the Eagles 18-12 on the day with every player stepping up to the plate recording at least one hit, including four long balls by the Falcons' tri-captains Allison Vallas, Dawnjene DeLong and Hayley Wiemer.
FALCONS IN HOME OPENERS
The Falcons are 18-12 on home openers in program history after sweeping Eastern Michigan. Since the millennium change, BGSU is 5-4 in their home debut. On Friday (April 11) eight rookies made their debut to a home crowd on the BGSU Softball Field.
FALCONS HANG TOUGH WITH #6 MICHIGAN
Head Coach Shannon Salsburg and the Falcons fell to #6 Michigan, 4-0 at Alumni Field in Ann Arbor, Michigan, Wednesday evening (April 9). The Wolverines are the fourth Big Ten team the Orange and Brown have faced this season thus far. The Falcons were out hit by #6 Michigan 10-2, however the Orange and Brown recorded the second most hits against the second best pitcher in the nation, Jordan Taylor in her last four starts and last five appearances. Taylor owns a 0.49 ERA, which fits right in with the Michigan pitching staff as a whole as they lead the nation with a 0.60 ERA. While #6 Michigan and Taylor have faced three MAC opponents the Falcons' two hits are the most any MAC team has recorded against Taylor with Miami going hitless Central Michigan only recording one hit. Senior Dawnjene DeLong almost became the fourth player to hit a long ball off of the number two pitcher in the nation Taylor hit as crushed a long fly ball to the center field warning track just shy of the center field fence but Michigan's center fielder Molly Bausher made a great catch to rob DeLong of an extra base hit.
ALL "HAIL"EY WIEMER, MAC EAST PITCHER OF THE WEEK & MAC SCHOLAR ATHLETE OF THE WEEK
Hayley Wiemer, Sylvania, Ohio native, was named Mid-American Conference East division Pitcher of the Week and MAC Scholar Athlete of the Week announced by the conference office April 8, after recording three wins in three against Miami and Ball State. Wiemer led the Falcons to an 8-3 win over the undefeated RedHawks, giving them their first loss in the MAC. She topped her performance in her next two outings from the mound sweeping Ball State in a 3-0 shutout on Saturday (April 5) and an 8-4 victory on Sunday (April 6). In the shut out against the Cardinals, Wiemer allowed only one batter to reach first base in the first three innings on a base-on-balls, with no runner getting past second base the entire game. For the weekend Wiemer struck out 14 batters in 18.1 innings of play posting a 2.29 ERA. Wiemer is now 4-3 overall and 4-0 in the MAC from the circle.
THE FALCON RALLY CAW
Most opponents think when they have two outs in an inning, the inning is just about over but when the Falcons are at the plate they are only getting started. The Falcons have scored 45 of their 79 RBIs on two-out rallies.
ROOKIE BATS ON HOT STREAK
The Falcon rookies' bats have gotten hot as seven of the eight freshman have recorded at least one hit while combined they have totaled 57 of the Falcons' 156 hits. The seniors are the only class to have more hits than rookies as they have combined for 69 of the Falcons hits.
SWEEP OF BALL STATE LEADS TO A NEW STATE BIRD
The Falcons earned their 45th and 46th program wins and extended their winning streak to 14 games over the Ball State Cardinals. The Falcons started the two game series out with a shut out, 3-0, in game one (April 5). BG then came right back to sweep the Cardinals winning game two (April 6), 8-4. As the Falcons won the battle of the birds soaring over the Cardinals be on the look out for Ohio's new state bird, the FALCONS.
DEFEAT THE UNDEFEATED
The Falcons picked up their golden victory over Miami as they handed the RedHawks their first MAC loss of the season. The Falcons picked up their 50th program victory over the RedHawks with a decisive 8-3 win over the formerly undefeated Miami RedHawks in game one of the double-header (April 5).
NO CLOWNING AROUND
Between freshman Katelynn Boso's unique last name and bubbly personality she makes people laugh but there is no clowning around when it comes to her play on the field. Boso recorded her first collegiate grand slam and homer against Ball State (April 6) lifting the Falcons to an 8-4 victory over the Cardinals.
A DAY AT THE SPA FOR ARNEY
Freshman centerfielder Lindsay Arney got a free mud bath in Muncie, Indiana (April 5), however she didn't make the typical trip to the spa for it. In game one of the two game series against Ball State the Falcons were up 3-0 going into the bottom of the seventh inning. With two-outs, runners on first and second and the tying run stepping up to the plate Arney made a diving catch in front of her to end the game and give the Falcons their first of two victories in their sweep over the Cardinals. Arney not only came up with the ball but a free mud bath as the front of her uniform was caked in mud.
ALL THINGS BIGGER IN TEXAS
Freshman Haleigh Bielstein, a native of Inez, Texas hit her first collegiate homer in the Falcons 8-5 win over Kent State. The three-run long ball to center field was the eighth for the Falcons as a team this season and tied junior Hayley Wiemer's three-run homer for the most RBIs on one hit.
FALCONS UPSET KENT STATE TO PICK UP IN FIRST WIN
Head Coach Shannon Salsburg and the Falcons opened BG's 26th season of Mid-American Conference play with a decisive 8-5 win over East division rival Kent State in game one of the double-header and falling to the Golden Flashes in game two in a one run battle that was decided in the bottom of the seventh, 3-2. Kent State was picked as the favorite to win the MAC East division, finishing ahead of the Falcons, and to win the MAC Tournament. The win for Salsburg and company marks the first win of the season and the first victory for Salsburg against her former team.
FREQUENT FALCON MILES
The Falcons opened the 2008 season like every other season in program history on the road. However, the difference this year is that the Falcons will play 27 road games before their season opener on the BGSU softball field, which is the longest opening road trip in program history. The Falcons will rack up an estimated 7,022 miles to compete in seven different states, Tennessee, Alabama, Florida, Michigan, New York, Indiana, and in other areas of Ohio before returning to Bowling Green April 11 for their home opener.
FALCONS BATTLE THE BIG TEN
The Falcons will match-up against four of the 11 Big Ten teams this season, including three of the top four teams, 2007 Big Ten Champions and current #24 Ohio State, #6 Michigan, Iowa, who is one of the 13 teams receiving votes not in the top 25, and Michigan State. In the next four weeks the Falcons will take on one or more Big Ten team each week. BG will start their battle against the Big Ten at the Stetson Spring Classic taking on Iowa on Mar. 15 and Michigan State on Mar. 16. The following weekend the Orange and Brown will match-up against state rival Ohio State at the Buckeye Invitational on Mar. 22. Salsburg and company will make a trip up to Ann Arbor, Michigan to play the Wolverines on April 9. Due to weather the Falcons will now finish up their series against the Big Ten taking on the Spartans for the second time this season in East Lansing, Michigan on April 22.
MICHIGAN STATE GAME RESCHEDULED FOR APRIL 22
The battle between the Falcons and the Spartans has been rescheduled for Wednesday, April 22 at Old College Field in East Lansing, Michigan with the first pitch being thrown at 4:00 p.m.
FALCONS AGAINST THE MAC EAST
The Falcons have dominated their MAC East division foes as they own all but one all-time series record. The Falcons lead Akron (39-20-1), Buffalo (14-3), Miami (50-36) and Ohio (49-32). The only team in the MAC East division to lead the Falcons is Kent State (41-49-1). In the MAC West division the Falcons lead four out of the six opponents in the all-time series. The Orange and Brown lead Ball State (46-27), Eastern Michigan (46-34), Northern Illinois (18-12) and arch-rival Toledo (52-33). The only two West teams to lead the Falcons are Central Michigan (16-63) and Western Michigan (26-40).
SALSBURG AGAINST THE MAC
In two seasons at the helm of the Falcons Salsburg holds a record of 21-8 in league play. In her two seasons Salsburg owns or has tied nine of the 11 series in MAC. Salsburg and company lead Akron (1-0), Ball State (4-0), Buffalo (2-0), Central Michigan (2-1), Miami (4-1), Northern Illinois (2-0), Ohio (2-0) and Toledo (2-0) and are tied with Western Michigan (1-1). The only two teams to lead the Salsburg's squad are Eastern Michigan (2-3) and Kent State (1-4).
FALCONS DOUBLE UP ON DAY TWO OF STETSON SPRING CLASSIC
The Falcons doubled up on day two of the Stetson Spring Classic against Cornell and Iowa hitting five doubles in 11 hits over two games. The Orange and Brown's first three hits against Cornell were doubles to right center by three different Falcons, Emily Gouge, Zada Lines and Missy Bowman each recording their first career double. In the second game of the double-header the Falcons hit two more doubles from Hayley Wiemer and Gouge, each recording their second double of the season and for Gouge her second double of the day.
VALLAS CONTINES TO PICK-UP HONORS
Allison Vallas picked-up MAC East Player of the Week honors (Mar. 12) for her performance at the War Eagle Classic where she was named to the All-Tournament team. Vallas opened the 2008 season with an eight game hitting streak and has record at least one hit in eight of the nine games for the Falcons with a season high three hits and three RBIs against Lipscomb (Mar. 7).
VALLAS NAMED TO WAR EAGLE CLASSIC ALL-TOURNAMENT TEAM
Senior Allison Vallas was named to the War Eagle Classic All-Tournament team after posting .417 batting average and .667 slugging percentage for the weekend. Vallas tallied five hits in 12 at-bats, including a double, a triple and three RBIs.
VALLAS NAMED LOWE'S SENIOR CLASS AWARD FINALIST
Senior tri-captain Allison Vallas was named one of the top thirty softball senior student-athletes in the nation. Vallas, a Perrysburg, Ohio native, is the first Falcon to receive this honor and was one of the three Mid-American Conference student-athletes to be named to this prestigious list. She is an exercise science major with a 3.95 GPA and a two-time All-MAC selection, a two-time Academic All-MAC honoree and has been named to the ESPN the Magazine All-District Team.
FALCON BATS OPEN SEASON WITH A BANG
The Falcons opened the 2008 season hitting .394 batting average as a team, with six players hitting .500 batting average or better, including three players hitting a perfect 1.000. Senior Dawnjene DeLong went a perfect three-for-three a homer shy of a cycle, with a single, double and triple scoring three runs for the Orange and Brown. Junior Hayley Wiemer opened the 2008 with bang totaling two homers, a double and a career high seven RBIs in the first game of the season. In her first appearance at the plate of the season Wiemer blasted a two-run homer over the center field wall. In her third at-bat of the game she knocked a double off the left-center field wall. Wiemer's final at bat of the 2008 season opener was a smashing three-run homer over the center field wall. Freshman Rachel Delp also hit her first career long ball over the left field wall in the Falcons season opener.
