Softball Sweeps Eastern Kentucky

Wednesday, April 18

Bowling Green, Ohio.

2:00 p.m.

Bowling Green State University

Eastern Kentucky University (Sball Bingo - Qdoba HR/FB - Dog Day)

April 18, 2012 | Softball

By: John Enright-Athletic Communications

Photo Gallery | Game 1 Boxscore | Game 2 Boxscore | Coach Salsburg Audio | Paige Berger Audio

BOWLING GREEN, Ohio. -- The Bowling Green State University softball team swept their doubleheader with Eastern Kentucky Wednesday afternoon, defeating the Colonels 5-2 in the first game, before winning the second game 6-1.

Sophomore Katie Yoho led the Falcons in game one with two hits in two at-bats, also recording a walk and a run. Freshman Jamie Kertes picked up the win, striking out six while allowing just three hits in 6.0 innings of work. Freshman Paris Imholz recorded the save, striking out two and allowing just one hit in the final frame.

The Falcons once again got on the board early, scoring two runs on one hit in the bottom of the first inning. Junior Hannah Fulk was hit by a pitch, before moving to third base on sacrifice bunt from senior Rachel Proehl. After a strikeout and a walk, Fulk was able to take home due to a passed ball. A second walk put runners at first and second for freshman Shelby Fink, who singled home the second Falcon run of the game.

Bowling Green added two more runs in the bottom of the second, thanks to two walks and an Eastern Kentucky error.

The Falcons added one more in the bottom of the fifth, crossing home plate on two hits in the frame. Yoho led off the inning with a single up the middle, before advancing to second on a wild pitch. Sophomore Erika Stratton then came to the plate, and belted a single through the right side to bring Yoho home for the 5-0 Falcon lead.

The Colonels added two runs on the board in the top of the sixth, but were unable to complete the rally, giving Bowling Green the 5-2 win in game one.

The Orange and Brown carried their momentum from game one into the second contest, defeating Eastern Kentucky 6-1.

Junior Paige Berger was dominant at the plate for Bowling Green, recording four RBI in a 2-for-3 day, including a three-run double and a solo home run. Imholz picked up the complete game win, allowing just one run and four hits in the contest.

The Colonels drew first blood in game two, scoring one run on three hits in the game's opening frame to take the 1-0 lead.

The Falcons responded in the bottom of the second, tying the contest 1-1 on two hits. Yoho singled with one out to start the inning, before stealing second in the next at bat. Stratton then came to the plate and shot a single down the left field line, bringing Yoho home for the tie.

Bowling Green took the lead in the bottom of the third, thanks to a solo home run from Berger. Berger came to the plate with two outs and belted her fourth home run of the season, putting the score at 2-1 in favor of Bowling Green.

The Falcons added four insurance runs in the bottom of the fifth, crossing home plate four times on three hits in the frame. Berger came to the plate with the bases loaded and crushed a double to left center, clearing the bases, and giving Bowling Green the 6-1 lead.

Imholz shut down the Colonels for the remainder of the game, not allowing a single hit in the final two innings to securing the 6-1 victory for BG.

Berger's home run marked the 27^th of her career, giving her sole possession of second place on the Bowling Green all-time home run list. Berger needs five home runs to tie (32) Hayley Weimer for first on the all-time list.

The Falcons (27-16, 9-3 MAC) finish their eight-game home stand with a 6-2 record, and will now head to Toledo for a two-game set with the Rockets over Saturday and Sunday. The first pitch for Saturday's game is set for 2 p.m.