Kertes and Dillow Strong On Opening Day At UCF Spring Fling

Friday, March 7

Orlando, FL.

11 A.M.

Bowling Green State University

10-10-2

Troy

4-10-1

Troy

Bowling Green

Braiden Dilow

March 07, 2014 | Softball

Box Score 1 Box Score 2

The Falcons dropped a pair of close games on the first day at the UCF Spring Fling

By: by Jake Dorow, Athletic Communications

BOXSCORES: Game 1 | Game 2

ORLANDO, Fla. – The Bowling Green State University dropped a pair of hard-fought games in the opening day at the UCF Spring Fling. Playing at the UCF Softball Complex, the Falcons (4-10-1) dropped their opening game to Colgate University by a score of 1-0. The Orange and Brown lost to Troy in the second game of their doubleheader, 3-0.

The Falcons got strong pitching performances from sophomore Braiden Dillow and junior Jamie Kertes throughout the day. The two allowed a total of four earned runs on 12 hits, while striking out 10 batters and surrendered only three walks on the day.

The Orange and Brown totaled four hits at the plate between the two games. Freshmen Lauren Dye, Haley Schrock and Chelsea Raker all totaled a hit each for the Falcons. Senior Katie Yoho also contributed with a double in the second inning versus the Trojans, giving Yoho her team-leading third double of the season.

GAME ONE – Bowling Green 0, Colgate 1

A gusty pitching performance by starter Kertes could not be overlooked in a 1-0 loss to Colgate in the Falcons' first of two games at the UCF Softball Complex. Kertes (2-7) was credited with a tough loss after tossing 5.1 innings of work in the circle, allowing one earned run on four hits against the Raiders. The Carnegie, Pa., native struck out four batters in the game, and pitched five scoreless frames before allowing the game-winning run in the bottom of the sixth inning.

"I was disappointed in our approach today," Falcons head coach Shannon Salsburg said. "We sat back and allowed the games to be dictated today by our opponents."

Freshman Lauren Dye recorded the lone Falcon hit in the game, going 1-for-1 with a double to right center in the top of the sixth. Dye's double marked the freshman's first collegiate hit as a Falcon. The Montpelier, Ohio native also broke up a no-hitter for Colgate's starting pitcher in the game.

Dye is the eighth freshman to record at least one hit on the season for the Orange and Brown. In all, the newcomers have combined for 45 hits, four doubles, four homers and 16 RBI in 15 games.

Deadlocked at 0-0, the Raiders broke the scoreless tie with a one-out double to left field. After Colgate got a runner on first with a one-out walk, the Raiders capitalized with the only run needed in a hard-fought pitchers' duel throughout the entire game.

GAME TWO – Troy 3, Bowling Green 0

The Orange and Brown could not overcome an early deficit and lost to the Trojans by a score of 3-0 in the second game at the UCF Softball Complex.

Bowling Green once again got a strong pitching performance in the circle by Dillow and Kertes. The two combined for seven innings of work, allowing three earned runs on seven hits while striking out six batters.

After allowing a run in the first inning, Dillow settled down and threw three-straight scoreless innings. The Lucasville, Ohio native allowed only one hit after the first inning, including two strikeouts and no walks during the stretch.

Yoho, who entered the day batting .317 on the year, doubled to right center for BGSU's first hit of the game. The Falcons, however, could not capitalize and stranded Yoho on second base after Troy forced a ground out and a fly out in foul territory to end the inning.

Troy added two more runs in the top half of the sixth inning to extend their lead to 3-0.

I expect us to come out with much more urgency tomorrow. "Salsburg said.

The Falcons will take the field on Saturday afternoon for another doubleheader on the second day at the UCF Spring Fling. The Orange and Brown will take on Western Carolina at 3:30 p.m. in game one before taking on Pennsylvania in the night cap at 8 p.m.