Bowling Green State University Athletics
Falcons Finish the Season on the Road
May 01, 2008 | Softball
May 1, 2008
Complete Release in PDF Format
BOWLING GREEN, Ohio - Head Coach Shannon Salsburg and the Falcons now on a five game winning streak will finish the 2008 regular season once again on the road, as over half of the Falcons games this season were road trips. The Orange and Brown will start the weekend off on Friday (May 2) at 1:00 p.m. in Athens, Ohio with a double-header against Ohio. The Falcons will then head to Akron, Ohio to play a two game series against the Zips Saturday (May 3) at 2:00 p.m. and Sunday (May 4) at 1:00 p.m.
FALCONS LIVE ON THE ROAD
For all Falcon fans that can't make it to the live action in Athens or Akron the Falcons will be live via the internet for the entire weekend. Live updates for the Falcons double-header against Ohio will be available on GameTracker by visit www.OhioBobcats.com. Fans can get live updates via GameWatcher Live Stats for the two game series against Akron by visiting www.GoZips.com.
MATCH-UPS ON THE DIAMOND
Ohio University - Bobcats (5/2 - 1:00 p.m. - DH)
The Falcons will match-up against Ohio for a double-header ... the Bobcats are currently 22-23 overall and 7-11 in the MAC after dropping a double-header to Ohio State (7-3, 3-0) ... the Falcons are on a four game winning streak and lead the all-time series 49-32 over the Bobcats ... the Falcons have won 11 of the last 13 meetings between the two MAC rivals ... the last meeting between the two was a double-header in Athens last year where the Falcons swept the Bobcats (12-5, 5-3).
University of Akron - Zips (5/3 - 2:00 p.m. & 5/4 - 1:00 p.m.)
The Falcons will finish the 2008 season in a two game road series against Akron ... the Zips are currently 17-34 overall and 6-12 in the MAC after falling to Penn State (1-4) ... the Falcons are on a three game winning streak and lead the all-time series 39-20-1 over the Zips ... since the millennium the Falcons have only lost five out of the last 17 games against the Zips ... the last meeting between the two teams was last year in a non-conference match-up at the Panera Bread Challenge in Chattanooga, Tenn. where the Falcons defeated the Zips 8-3 ... last year's series between BG and Akron was cancelled due to weather.
SIX DEGREES OF FALCONS
As the Falcons finish up the 2008 season on the road they travel to all too familiar territory as what some could consider a second home for most of the Falcons. For the second time this season familiarity extends from the field to the dugouts as two of three BGSU coaches had their coaching debut with the Zips. BGSU Head Coach Shannon Salsburg will take on her former team for the first time on the Zips home field. In the first meeting between Salsburg and her former the Falcons defeated the Zips, 8-3 last season at the Panera Bread Challenge. Coach Salsburg was a graduate assistant coach for the Zips in 1999 and 2000. BGSU Assistant Coach Tina McCauley not only made her coaching debut Akron in 2006 but is a former Zip herself setting multiple records from the pitching mound. Coach McCauley's link to Akron goes much deeper as her younger sister Deanna McCauley is currently a member of the Akron squad. The familiar faces between the two teams don't end there as the Falcons will be facing two former high school teammates. Freshman Katelynn Boso will face former Ellet high school teammate Jessica Davidson, while freshman Missy Bowman will face former Massillon Perry high school teammate Lisa McLean.
Junior Hayley Wiemer will face former St. Ursula Academy teammate on Friday when the Falcons take on the Ohio Bobcats.
WIEMER'S PERFECT CIRCLE EARNS HER MAC EAST PITCHER OF THE WEEK
Junior tri-captain Hayley Wiemer, Sylvania, Ohio native, was named Mid-American Conference East division Pitcher of the Week announced by the conference office (April 29), after recording three wins in two starts this weekend. Wiemer has garnered MAC East Pitcher of the Week honors once earlier this season and once as a sophomore. Wiemer still remains undefeated from the circle in MAC play now 10-0 and 12-4 overall. In league play she is not only undefeated but has the most wins and fewest loses, is currently ranked 13th in the nation allowing only 0.99 walks per seven innings and has recorded three shutouts (one combined) retiring 60 batters in 66.1 innings with a 2.01 ERA. Wiemer started off the week with a 2-1 victory over Big Ten opponent Michigan State as she gave up only one earned run striking out four batters only walking one in seven innings. The Falcons then returned to MAC play as Wiemer got her second start of the week against Toledo striking out eight batters, tying her season high, and once again only giving up one walk in seven innings of work. In game two of the series against the Rockets Wiemer came in relief for the Falcons striking out four batters in three innings only giving up one hit allowing. For the week Wiemer earned three victories, struck out 16 batters in 17.0 innings of work, giving up only two walks with an ERA of 1.65.
WIEMER TOP IN THE NATION
Hayley Wiemer is not only at the top of the MAC but also ranked at the top of the nation in multiple categories. Wiemer is the most walked player in the MAC as well as the fourth most walked player in the nation. She also finds herself ranked in pitching categories as the top pitcher in the MAC and the 13th in the nation for the fewest walks allowed per seven innings as she averages only giving up 0.99 walks per game. Other categories that Wiemer is ranked in the top 100 in the nation are on base percentage as she leads the MAC and is 58th in the nation (0.484) and home runs as she is third in the MAC and 77th in the nation (0.23 per game).
As a team the Falcons are ranked in the top 100 of nation in two categories. The Orange and Brown are 66th in doubles averaging 1.29 doubles per game and 81st in home runs averaging 0.63 per game.
ONE IS BETTER THAN NONE
The Falcons now on a five game winning streak and have won their last five games by a one run margin. The Falcons now 12-3 in the MAC with two of their conference loses coming by one run. Salsburg's squad has stepped up in clutch situations as they are 5-2 in one run games in MAC play.
DELONG LEADS THE WAY FOR THE FALCONS
Senior Dawnjene DeLong is not only the lead-off batter for the Falcons but she is leading the Falcons with a .343 batting average, 37 hits, 23 runs and eight doubles. DeLong is third on the team in slugging percentage (.519), on base percentage (.445) and home runs (3). DeLong is currently on a three game hitting streak, recording seven hits in the last three games posting a .700 batting average.
APRIL "REIGN" BRINGS MAC WINS
The April "reign" has brought with it the blooming of MAC wins for the Falcons. The Falcons ended the month of April 14-3 overall, 11-2 in the MAC and 8-1 at home in the month of April. The Falcons look to carry this momentum into the month of May with the blooming of a MAC Championship.
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 fourth most walked hitter in the nation as she has been given first base 31 times in 91 at bats this season, only one walk away of tying the BGSU season record for walks. Wiemer is now the all-time most walked Falcon as she has been given first 82 times in her career.
FALCONS SWEEP ARCH-RIVAL TOLEDO, 4-3 AND 1-0
Head Coach Shannon Salsburg and the Falcons completed a two game sweeping over arch-rival Toledo with a 4-3 victory on Saturday (April 26) and 1-0 shutout on Sunday (April 27) afternoon. Salsburg and company extended their winning streak to five games and completed their fourth sweep of a Mid-American Conference opponent this season moving to 15-20 overall and 12-3 in the MAC.
STATE RIVALRY, OHIO VS. MICHIGAN
The BGSU softball team has won their last eight games against teams that hail from the state of Michigan. In the month of April the Falcons are 8-1 against teams from Michigan defeating the last three teams by a one run margin, 2-1.
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 49 of their 100 RBIs on two-out rallies.
ROOKIE BATS ON HOT STREAK
The Falcon rookies' bats have gotten hot as all of the eight freshman have recorded at least one hit while combined they have totaled 79 of the Falcons' 212 hits. The seniors are the only class to have more hits than rookies as they have combined for 89 of the Falcons hits.
FALCON SPRING CLEANING IN BG
Head Coach Shannon Salsburg and the Falcons got their spring cleaning started on their 10 game home stand as the swept three out of four of their opponents at the BGSU Softball. The Falcons start with sweeping Eastern Michigan in the 2008 double-header home opener (3-0, 9-4). Salsburg and company then moved on to another Michigan opponent Detroit Mercy taking two from them (5-0, 9-1). The only opponent to squeeze by and split with the Falcons was Northern Illinois (5-2, 2-3). Salsburg's squad finished their spring cleaning as they swept their third team from Michigan, Western Michigan (2-1, 2-1). The Falcons also defeated Central Michigan (7-6) at the BGSU Softball Field, however game two of the two game series was canceled due to weather.
FALCONS RALLY IN THE SEVENTH TO DEFEAT SPARTANS, 2-1
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. The Falcons came from behind in the top of the seventh on a two out rally to score two runs taking the lead and then shut down the Titans in the bottom of the seventh for the win.
FALCONS HONOR SENIOR TRIO WITH AN EXTRA INNING VICTORY
The BGSU softball team honored their senior trio, Dawnjene DeLong, Emily Gouge and Allison Vallas with a 2-1 extra inning victory over the Western Michigan Broncos. Despite the overcast day the Falcon spirits were high as they closed out their 2008 home stand paying tribute to their seniors. Hayley Wiemer blasted a walk-off homer over the right field fence in the bottom of the eighth inning to give the Falcons a 2-1 victory over the Broncos.
GOUGE NO LONGER #12
Senior hurler Emily Gouge isn't changing uniform numbers, however she struck out a career high 15 batters against Northern Illinois (April 18). Gouge's former career high was 12 strike outs against St. Bonaventure (3/3/07).
VALLAS' BIG STICK EARNS MAC EAST PLAYER OF THE WEEK & SCHOLAR ATHLETE 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 (April 15) and MAC Scholar Athlete of the Week (April 17). 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.
THERE'S NO PLACE LIKE HOME
After 23 straight games on the road to open the 2008 season the Falcons returned home to post the best opening record in program history. The Falcons opened their home schedule with a 6-0 record. The Falcons winning streak at home ended in an extra inning battle against the Huskies (April 18). Salsburg's squad passed the 5-0 opening record that the 1991 squad set at home. The Falcons have out scored their 2008 opponents 42-17 on their home field.
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' .341 batting average, 24 RBIs and 31 hits leads the Falcon offense.
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 now has the second most career long balls (20) after crushing a walk-off, her eighth homer of the season against Western Michigan (April 20). Vallas has the third most career long balls (17) after hitting her 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 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.
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.
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 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 (19-13) and arch-rival Toledo (54-33). The only two West teams to lead the Falcons are Central Michigan (16-63) and Western Michigan (28-40).
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 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 (3-1), Ohio (2-0), Toledo (4-0) and Western Michigan (3-1). The only two teams to lead the Salsburg's squad are Eastern Michigan (2-3) and Kent State (1-4).
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.
