Falcons Split First Day Of Adidas Invitational

Friday, March 9

Rock Hill, S.C.

2:00 p.m.

Bowling Green State University

Winthrop University

March 10, 2012 | Softball

By: BGSU Athletic Communications

Winthrop BOXSCORE | Campbell BOXSCORE

ROCK HILL, S.C. -- Bowling Green opened the Adidas Invitational with a loss to host Winthrop University Friday afternoon, falling to the Eagles 9-8. Junior Andrea Arney led the way for Bowling Green offensively, going 3-for-4 with two home runs and six RBI. Junior Hannah Fulk also homered in the contest, going 2-for-3 with two RBI in the game.

Both teams scored a run in the opening frame, before Winthrop exploded in the top of the third inning with four runs on three hits.

Trailing the Eagles 5-1 in the bottom of the third, Arney belted her first home run of the contest. Arney's three-run shot marked her second of the season, and cut the Winthrop lead to 5-4.

Winthrop added four more insurance runs over the next four innings, pushing the score to 9-4 in favor of the Eagles.

Bowling Green fell just short of the comeback, scoring four runs in the bottom of the seventh. Senior Melissa West walked before Fulk belted her second home run of the season, cutting the Winthrop lead to 9-6. After a double from senior Rachel Proehl, Arney nailed her second home run of the game, pushing the score to 9-8 Winthrop. Arney's third home run of the year was not enough however, as the Falcons fell to Winthrop 9-8.

“The Winthrop game was a slugfest,” said head coach Shannon Salsburg. “We did a great job of battling but needed one or two more key hits. We showed again that at any time we can score runs.”

Bowling Green rebounded with a victory over Campbell University in the second game of the day, defeating the Fighting Camels 4-0. Arney led the Falcons with 2 RBI, while Proehl led Bowling Green with two hits. Freshman Jamie Kertes picked up the win for Bowling Green, striking out seven and surrendering only four hits in seven innings of work.

After scoring a run in the first inning, the Falcons added three runs in the top of the fifth inning to secure the win. With two runners on, Arney singled up the middle to bring home two more runs. Several Campbell fielding errors allowed Arney to score as well, securing the 4-0 win for Bowling Green.

“I am proud of the way the team played game two,” said Salsburg. “ Jamie set the tone on the mound and the team responded with solid defense and clutch hitting. Andrea had a huge day for us with 8 RBIs between the two games.
The Falcons (8-6) are back in action Saturday afternoon with games against Gardner Webb (1 p.m.) and Albany (3 p.m.).