Falcons Earn Midweek Split With IPFW

Tuesday, April 23

Bowling Green, Ohio

2 p.m.

Bowling Green State University

IPFW

Photo by: BGSU Strategic Communications

April 23, 2013 | Softball

By: BGSU-Athletic Communications

Game One Boxscore | Game Two Boxscore | Photo Gallery

BOWLING GREEN, Ohio -- The Bowling Green State University softball team split its doubleheader with IPFW Tuesday afternoon, falling to the Mastodons by a score of 6-4 in game one before rebounding with a 7-1 win in game two. The split pushes the Falcons' overall record to 24-18, with a standing record of 7-9 in Mid-American Conference play. IPFW moves to 24-12 overall, with a standing record of 7-3 in the Summit League.

In game one, freshman Marisa Shook led the Falcons with a career-best four RBI thanks to a 2-for-3 performance. One of Shook's hits included a two-run home run, her third of the season. Senior Paige Berger also went 2-for-3 in the contest, collecting two singles with two runs scored. Sophomore Jamie Kertes (9-11) was credited with the loss after giving up six runs (one earned), while striking out five in 6.1 innings of play.

The Falcons got on the board early, taking a 2-0 lead on IPFW thanks to two hits in the bottom of the first inning. With two outs and runners on second and third, Shook sent a single through the middle to center field, bringing home the first two Falcon runs of the day.

IPFW responded with its biggest inning of the doubleheader, crossing home plate six times on five hits with three Falcon errors in the top of the fifth frame to jump ahead of the Orange and Brown by a score of 6-2.

Bowling Green started to battle back in the bottom of the sixth, scoring two runs on two hits to cut the Mastodons lead to 4-2. After a single from Berger in the first at bat of the inning, two quick outs brought Shook to the plate with a runner on. Shook would belt a two-run homer to left field, putting the score at 6-4 in favor of IPFW.

Despite the Falcon comeback, Bowling Green was unable to cross home plate again in game one, giving the victory to the Mastodons.

The Orange and Brown came back with a vengeance in game two, dominating the Mastodons by a 7-1 margin. Berger led the Falcons with two hits, going 2-for-3 with a home run and three RBI. Sophomore Paris Imholz (15-6) picked up the complete-game victory after allowing just one run and four hits, while also earning four strikeouts.

The Falcons got on the board first, scoring three runs on one hit in the bottom of the third inning. With two runners on a two outs, Berger came to the plate and hit her fifth home run of the season, sending a shot over the left field wall to give Bowling Green the 3-0 lead.

The Falcons struck again in the following inning, scoring one run on two hits to take the 4-0 lead. Junior Erika Stratton started with a single down the left field line, eventually being relieved by freshman Jessica Gregg as a pinch runner. Gregg stole second base in the following at bat, and was able to move to third on an errant throw by the IPFW catcher. With Gregg on third, senior Adrienne Dick sent a shot towards the third base side, allowing Gregg to score on the play.

Already leading, 4-0, in the bottom of the fifth, Bowling Green recorded two more runs to increase its lead to 6-0. Three wild pitched from IPFW aided in the scoring frame, giving the Falcons some much needed insurance runs.

Both teams traded a final run in the last two innings of play, giving the Falcons a 7-1 victory in game two and the non-conference series split.

The Falcons are back in action on Saturday, April 27 when they face off against the Toledo Rockets in a single game at Meserve Field. The first pitch is schedule for 2 p.m.