No. 2 Michigan Edges Out Falcons

Wednesday, March 24

Ann Arbor, MI

4:00 p.m.

Bowling Green State University

#2 Michigan

March 24, 2010 | Softball

Freshman Andrea Arney nails first long ball of her career

By: by Hannah Archer, Athletic Communications Intern

BOWLING GREEN, Ohio—The Bowling Green State University softball team fell to No. 2 Michigan Wolverines, 10-2, in five innings, to end the Falcons pre-conference competition. The game remained tight through the first four innings of the game, until the Wolverines big bats in the bottom of the fifth, including a game-ending homer by UM senior Nikki Nemitz, were enough to shut the Falcons down.

BGSU vs. Michigan Final Stats

The Wolverines got a quick jump over BGSU in the first, recording three hits that resulted in two runs in. But Falcon pitcher Melissa Bott was kept Michigan to just one run and only three hits in the second and third innings, giving the Falcons a chance to make a comeback in the fourth.

Entering the fourth inning, BGSU trailed the Wolverines 3-0, but were not going down without a fight. Freshman Paige Berger kicked the Falcon offense into action with a single to right field. Following

Berger, fellow freshman Andrea Arney smashed a homer—her first of the season and her career as a Falcon—over left field to bring Berger home. Adrienne Dick also recorded a hit for the Falcons with a single left field before the inning was over.

Defensively, Bott continued to fend off the Wolverines offense, keeping UM scoreless and allowing just one hit in the bottom of the fourth.

Wolverines pitcher was just as determined and kept the Falcons hitless and scoreless in the top of the fifth, giving UM the opportunity to shut the Falcons down.

In the bottom of the fifth, the Wolverines recorded five hits that resulted in seven runs, ending the game in five innings, with a final score of 10-2.

“We played a great game through the first four innings,” said head coach Shannon Salsburg. “We hurt ourselves by getting behind, but they are a good hitting team. Bott did a great job at the plate today and was really able to split up their hits.”

In total, three freshmen recorded four hits for the Falcon squad, including Berger (2), Andrea Arney and Adrienne Dick.

Salsburg said, “We are going to continue to work on staying ahead and get ready for MAC play.”

The Falcons will swing into Mid-American conference competition next weekend (April 2, 3 and 4) with a double header against Central Michigan on Friday at 1:00 p.m. and back-to-back games on Saturday at 2:00 p.m. and Sunday at 1:00 p.m. against Eastern Michigan.