Bowling Green State University Athletics
Bowling Green State University
MICHIGAN STATE
Falcons Rally in the Seventh to Defeat Spartans, 2-1
April 22, 2008 | Softball
April 22, 2008
EAST LANSING, Michigan - Head Coach Shannon Salsburg and the Falcons defeated their eighth straight opponent hailing from the state of Michigan as the Falcons picked up their 12th program victory over the Michigan State Spartans, 2-1.
"Today was a great victory for us," said Head Coach Shannon Salsburg. "The kids battled all game and we just couldn't seem to get that clutch hit until the seventh inning. To have them go ahead and then for us to come back like that is another huge step for this team. Wiemer threw the ball exceptionally well today and really kept them off balance. She and Boso did a great job of mixing pitches. It was just a solid day all-around and another day to build on."
The non-conference tilt started off as a pitching duel between Hayley Wiemer and Michigan State's Lesley Noel as both teams were kept scoreless in the first three innings. In the fourth inning both teams' offenses got rolling as the Falcons recorded consecutive singles, but weren't able to drive home any runs. The Spartans however struck first scoring in the fourth inning off of two hits taking a 1-0 lead over the Falcons.
Despite a hit in the fifth and sixth inning the Falcons were still kept scoreless. In the bottom of the sixth the Spartans looked to take a 2-1 as Michigan State's Traci Nicosia hit a long foul ball to left field with bases loaded. On the catch Kara Weigle attempted to tag up at third base and scored. The Falcon defense appealed the play and Weigle was called out at the third base for leaving early, keeping the Spartans scoreless in the bottom of the sixth.
With two outs in the top of the seventh freshman Melissa Bott pinch hit for the Falcons and drew a base-on-balls. Dawnjene DeLong then stepped up to the plate and crushed a double to right field driving home Bott to tie up the game, 1-1. Smart base running by DeLong put her on third base as she advanced on the Spartans throw to home plate. With the go ahead run at third, Susan Sontag ripped a single to center field scoring DeLong and giving the Falcons a 2-1 lead.
Wiemer then retired the side, fanning two batters and throwing out one runner at first to seal the deal for the Falcons, 2-1 over the Spartans. The Falcons improve to 13-20 overall on the season with Wiemer moving to 10-4. Wiemer struck out four batters in seven innings only walking one batter with a 1.00 ERA.
The Falcon offense was led by a one-two punch from DeLong and Sontag, the Falcons lead-off and number two batter. DeLong and Sontag both went two-for-four against the Spartans. DeLong posted a .750 slugging percentage including a double, a RBI and one run scored, while Sontag recorded the other RBI for the Falcons. Also recording a hit on the day were Wiemer, Allison Vallas and Missy Bowman.
