Late Thrills Not Enough in Falcon Loss

Sunday, April 3

Bowling Green, Ohio

1:00 pm

Bowling Green State University

Eastern Michigan University

April 03, 2011 | Baseball

Bowling Green dropped a decisive game three in thriller that nearly capped a ninth-inning comeback.

By: by Ryan Gasser, Athletic Communications Graduate Assistant

BOWLING GREEN, Ohio -- Once again the Falcons created some late-inning drama down three runs entering the bottom of the ninth. The Brown and Orange made light work of Eastern Michigan's first reliever, scoring twice and placing the tying run on second base but could not bring home the runs needed for the win. The visiting Eagles won Sunday afternoon's game, 5-4, taking the series from the Falcons.

April 3, 2011 -- Final
	R	H	E
Eastern Michigan	5	10	1
Bowling Green	4	9	3

Box score (.html) | Box score (.pdf) | Play by play (.pdf) | Updated statistics (.html)

Entering the bottom of the ninth in a 5-2 deficit, EMU reliever Joe Battistelli loaded the bases after allowing a leadoff double to Ryan Schlater (St. Paris, Ohio), a single to Alex Davison (Grand Ledge, Mich.) and walking Frank Berry (Virginia Beach, Va.). Freshman Andrew Kubuski (Elyria, Ohio) laced a single into center field, scoring Schlater and Davison to bring the Falcons within a run of the Eagles.

The single prompted the Eagles to go to the bullpen again, this time bringing in Kristian Calibuso. After a failed sacrifice bunt attempt left runners at first and second with one out, Patrick Lancaster (Woodhaven, Mich.) struck out swinging putting two outs on the board and Jon Berti (Troy, Mich.) to the plate. In a strategic move, Eastern Michigan decided to intentionally walk Berti to face sophomore Matthew Pitzulo (Poland, Ohio). Pitzulo battled but ended his at bat and the game flying out to left field.

Ryan Schlater led the Falcons with three hits and a run scored on the day. Andrew Kubuski followed with a 2-for-4 day with two RBI. Berti stole two bases on three attempts, reached base four times and scored once.

Bowling Green (9-13, 3-3) scored first, posting two runs in the opening frame. Patrick Lancaster led off the game with a double down the left field line before Berti drove him in with a single through the middle. The junior standout then stole second base and advanced to third on a ground out to the right side. Fellow co-captain Clay Duncan (Norwalk, Ohio) then hit a fly ball to right field deep enough to score Berti after the putout, giving BGSU an early 2-0 lead.

Eastern Michigan (18-10, 5-1) scored once in the second inning and then took the lead in the fifth after Ken Battiston singled to right, scoring two on the play. Patrick Martin (Oregon, Ohio) came in to relieve BGSU starter Charles Wooten (Elmore, Ohio) with two down in the fifth and ended the inning with a strike out.

The Eagles scored a fourth time in the eighth inning, an unearned run charged to Martin resulting from a fielding error that would have ended the inning but instead allowed a run to score from third base. Eastern Michigan scored the eventual game-winning run in their half of the ninth. BGSU reliever Ben Singer (Midland, Mich.) allowed a one-out double to Daniel Russell, who then advanced to third base on a wild pitch. Dae Bowden singled through the right side, scoring Russell and making the score 5-2.
Wooten (1-4) took the loss after tossing 4.2 innings and allowing five runs (three earned) on five hits. Entering his fifth inning of work, he had allowed only one hit and struck out six hitters. Martin threw 3.0 innings in relief, allowed two hits and an unearned run. Singer threw the final 1.1 innings, surrendered three hits and a run.

The Falcons will have two mid-week, non-conference games before traveling to Ball State for their second MAC road series. Prior to heading west, Bowling Green engages Western Michigan on Tuesday, April 5 and then hosts Oakland University the next day. Their game against the Broncos begins at 3 p.m. at Robert J. Bobbs Stadium (Kalamazoo, Mich.). Wednesday's home game versus the Grizzlies begins at 1 p.m. at Warren Steller Field (Bowling Green, Ohio).

Full coverage of Falcon baseball and all 18 varsity sports can be found on the official online home of BGSU athletics, www.BGSUFalcons.com. Be sure to follow the Falcons on Facebook by searching “BG Warriors” or follow them on Twitter through www.twitter.com/WEAREBGBASEBALL.