Falcons Battle Weather, Eagles; Fall 9-2

Saturday, April 3

Bowling Green, Ohio

2:00 p.m.

Bowling Green State University

Eastern Michigan

April 03, 2010 | Softball

By: by Hannah Archer, Athletic Communications Intern

BOWLING GREEN, Ohio—The Bowling Green State University softball squad had to battle the weather today (April 3) against Eastern Michigan, but struggled to stop the Eagles offensive efforts late in the game, and fell 9-2, in the first of a two-game bout.

Winds reaching 35 miles per hour and gusts of rain put a damper on Meserve Softball Field and caused both teams to fight the elements in today's match.

After sweeping Central Michigan on the opening day of Mid-American Conference competition, the Falcons could not put runs on the board. The Falcons record falls to 6-11 overall, 2-1 MAC, while EMU advances to 10-15 overall, 2-1 MAC.

April 3 EMU at BGSU Box Score

The Falcons started out strong, putting the first run on the board early in the first inning. Freshman Hannah Fulk was put in prime scoring position after stealing second and advancing to third on a wild pitch. Fulk beat the throw to home plate, giving the Falcons a 1-0 lead, when sophomore Melissa West reached first on a fielder's choice.

The Falcons maintained a 1-0 lead through the second, as neither team was able to score. The Eagles battled back in the top of the third, adding two runs to their efforts, giving them a 1-2 lead over BGSU.

In the bottom of the third, senior Karmen Coffey tied the game at 2-2, after being walked by EMU pitcher, Jamie Melchert, in the first play of the inning. Coffey—the leading base stealer for the Falcons—put herself in a perfect position to score after she added two more stolen bases to her name, stealing both second and third. Sophomore Rachel Proehl brought Coffey home with a ground ball to second.

From that point on, the Eagles put an end BGSU's offensive efforts.

The Eagles added two more runs on three hits to the scoreboard in the top of the fifth; but, the Eagles big offensive inning came in the top of the seventh when they posted 3 hits and recorded five runs.

Defensively, the Falcons struggled to put a stop to Eastern Michigan's offense. Falcon junior Melissa Bott started from the mound and pitched six point one innings until being relived by junior Zada Lines in the top of the seventh.

In the loss, the Eagles out-hit the Falcons, 9-2. Koffey and Adrienne Dick recorded the Falcons two hits in today's game.

BGSU will look to redeem itself tomorrow (April 4), for the second of two contests against Eastern Michigan. The game is scheduled to begin at 1:00 p.m. at Meserve Softball Field.