Falcons End Season With 3-2 Loss To Ball State

Friday, May 11

Akron, Ohio

11:00 a.m.

Bowling Green State University

Ball State University

May 11, 2012 | Softball

By: John Enright-Athletic Communications

BOXSCORE | Photo Gallery | Shannon Salsburg Audio | Lani Schaffer Audio | Monica Wright Audio

AKRON, Ohio. -- The Bowling Green State University softball team lost to Ball State Friday afternoon, falling to the Cardinals by a score of 3-2. The loss eliminates Bowling Green from the MAC Tournament, ending the Falcons' season.

Hannah Fulk once again led the Falcons offensively, earning the only hit for Bowling Green in a 1-for-3 effort on the day. Fulk made the most of it, hitting a two run shot to left field for her record setting 15^th homer of the season.

Freshman Jamie Kertes (17-11) was credited with the loss, giving up two earned runs and striking out four in a complete 7.0 inning effort.

The Ball State Cardinals jumped on Bowling Green early, scoring two runs on two hits in the top of the first. The inning was highlighted by a one-out triple from Ball State senior Amanda Montalto with a runner on. An additional single in the following at bat capped the Cardinal scoring drive, giving Ball State the 2-0 lead.

The Cardinals added one more in the top of the fifth to increase the Ball State lead to 3-0 before the Bowling Green bats came to life.

Sophomore Erika Stratton walked to start the sixth inning before being taken out in favor of pinch runner Chloe Giordano. Fulk then came to the plate and blasted a two-run homer to left field to break up the Ball State no hitter, and put the Falcons back in the game.

With the score at 3-2 in favor of Ball State, the Falcons threatened in the bottom of the seventh. Arney walked to start the frame, before being moved over to second on a sacrifice bunt from sophomore Katie Yoho. Arney advanced to third in the next at bat on a groundout, putting senior Melissa West at the plate. West hit a shot towards third with Arney charging home, but was unable to beat the throw to first for the third out of the inning.

“I think this last game shows our tenacity,” said head coach Shannon Salsburg. “To come down to the last out with the ball going off the third baseman, with (Melissa) West hustling as hard as she can down the line. I couldn't be more proud of these kids. They showed the determination that any BG Falcon would be proud of.”

Fulk finishes the season with 15 home runs and 42 walks, both Bowling Green single-season records.

Fulk's 15^th home run of the season in the final game pushed the team's home run total to 46, falling one short of the single-season record (47) set back in 2007.

Fulk's 42 walks also helped Bowling Green shatter the previous team single-season walk record of 156, earning 177 base-on-balls this season.

Freshmen Jamie Kertes and Paris Imholz both finish the season with 17 wins, marking the highest combined win total for two pitchers in Bowling Green history.

The Falcons finish the season with a record of 36-22, falling one win why of tying the Bowling Green record for wins in a season set in 2006 and 1992.