Bowling Green State University Athletics
Bowling Green State University
BALL STATE
Wiemer, Falcons Shutout Cardinals, 3-0
April 05, 2008 | Softball
April 5, 2008
MUNCIE, Indiana - BGSU softball earned their 45th program win and 13th consecutive victory over Ball State. Junior Hayley Wiemer was unstoppable on both ends of the field leading the Falcons to a 3-0, win over Mid-American Conference West division opponent Ball State Saturday (April 5) afternoon. She earned her third victory and first shut out of the season, while also leading the Falcon sticks going two-for-three with her sixth multiple hit game, hitting a .667 batting average and a 1.000 slugging percentage, including a double and two RBIs.
The Falcons came out aggressive from the first pitch. Senior Dawnjene DeLong led off the Falcons with a hit for the sixth time this season blasting a double off of the left field wall. With one out Wiemer stepped up to the plate and traded places with DeLong slugging the game-winning double to the center field warning track scoring DeLong, giving the Falcons an early, 1-0.
In the top of the fourth inning the Falcons extended their lead scoring another run. Allison Vallas led off the inning for BG as she was hit by a pinch and awarded first base. Missy Bowman then laid down a sacrifice bunt to move Vallas to second. Emily Gouge crushed a double just shy of leaving the park off the center field wall, to score Vallas extending the Falcons lead over the Cardinals, 2-0.
Wiemer and the Falcon defense were solid through the whole game. Only one Cardinal reached first base in the first three innings on a base-on-balls. In the bottom of the fourth the Cardinals recorded their first hit of the game off of a two-out single from Abby Gross but before the Cardinals could get any offense going Falcon's catcher Katelynn Boso gunned down pinch runner Cassi Olp trying to steal second base.
The top of the fifth inning BG scored another insurance run as Rachel Delp led off with a single. DeLong moved pinch runner Susan Sontag to second with a sacrifice bunt. Zada Lines was then given a free ticket to first on a base-on-balls bringing Wiemer up to the plate. Wiemer sent a line drive to right field to score Sontag from second base with Lines and Wiemer each advancing a base on the right fielder's throw home. With runners in scoring position on second and third the Cardinals intentionally walked Vallas, the first of her career. The Cardinals were able to get out off the inning with the Falcons only scoring one run but that was plenty for the Orange and Brown to win.
The Cardinals were able to get a hit in the bottom of the first and sixth inning but the Falcon defense took care of business in both innings keeping Ball State scoreless.
With the Falcons up 3-0 over the Cardinals going into the bottom of the seventh inning only three outs were in the way of BG's third victory. The Falcons were able to get out number one as the lead-off batter grounded out to DeLong at short-stop. The Cardinals got their offense started with a single to right center but Wiemer battled right back retiring the next batter herself as she struck the batter out looking to get the second out of the inning. Once again the Cardinal offense tried to rally back with a single up the middle, bringing the tying run to the plate. The Falcon defense stood strong and center fielder Lindsay Arney made a diving catch in front of her to end the game, with the Falcons blanking the Cardinals, 3-0.
"Today was a big day for us picking up another win in the MAC and continuing to play well as a team with Wiemer's pitching on the mound and our clutch hitting," said BGSU Head Coach Shannon Salsburg. "The true test will be tomorrow and how we come back. Ball State is going to come out ready to play and we have to match that intensity."
The Falcon offense had five players hitting a .333 or better. Lines, Delp, DeLong and Gouge all hit a .333 batting average. DeLong and Gouge each recorded a double in the win over the Cardinals.
The Falcons will take on the Cardinals in game two of the two game series Sunday (April 6) at 1:00 p.m. at the Ball State Softball Field.
Falcon Notes
The Falcons recorded their 45th program and 14th consecutive win over Ball State.
Three of the six Falcon hits were doubles, which is the second time this season doubles have made up half of BG's hits.
Seniors Dawnjene DeLong and Emily Gouge are both on a three game hitting streak.
