Stratton Her Stuff: Grand Slam Leads To Sweep Over Titans

Wednesday, April 16

Bowling Green, Ohio

2 P.M.

Bowling Green State University

17-21-1

Detroit

4-31

Detroit

Bowling Green

April 16, 2014 | Softball

Box Score 1 Box Score 2

Erika Stratton hit a walk-off grand slam to propel the Falcons past Detroit in game one, 7-4.

By: By Jacob Dorow, Athletic Communications

BOXSCORE (HTML): Game 1 | Game 2

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BOWLING GREEN, Ohio – Down but never out, senior Erika Stratton's walk-off grand slam in the bottom of the seventh inning propelled the Bowling Green State University softball team to a mid-week doubleheader sweep over visiting Detroit at Meserve Field on Wednesday (April 16) afternoon. With Stratton's late-inning heroics, the Falcons (18-21-1) took the first game by a score of 7-4 before defeating the Titans (4-32) 2-0 in the second game.

"We found a way offensively to get the job done in game one," Falcons head coach Shannon Salsburg said. "Erika (Stratton) came up with a huge hit in the last inning. It was great to see her come out strong."

Trailing 4-3 in the home half of the seventh inning, the Falcons needed at least one run to extend the game. However, the Orange and Brown got more than enough when Stratton smashed a fastball over the left field fence for a walk-off grand slam. The Las Vegas, Nev. native had the opportunity to win the game when three first three Falcons reached base to set the scene for the senior co-captain.

With her grand slam in the seventh inning, Stratton added four RBI in the game for a team-leading 24 on the season. The grand slam also marked her sixth home run of the season, which is tied with senior Katie Yoho and freshman Chelsea Raker for the most of the team.

Jamie Kertes (10-17), who started in the circle for Bowling Green, pitched two scoreless innings to give the Falcons an opportunity to score the game's first run. Heading to the bottom half of the second inning, the Orange and Brown plated the first run of the game when Haley Schrock singled through the left side for a one-out RBI. H. Schrock capitalized when three consecutive Falcons reached base to begin the inning, eventually driving home Yoho.

After Kertes pitched a scoreless third frame, Bowling Green extended their lead to 2-0 with another run in the bottom half of the third inning. Freshman Aspen Searle led off the third with a single, followed by a single from freshman Amanda Durham. After Searle advanced to third base from a throwing error, the Brantford, Ontario native stole home to double their lead.

Trailing 2-0, Detroit plated three runs in the top of the fourth inning to grab a 3-2 lead over the Falcons. In what became a back-and-forth clash between the two clubs, both the Titans and Falcons exchanged leads twice in two innings, setting the stage for Stratton in the seventh inning.

Dillow worked the final 2.1 innings in the circle, surrendering just one hit and zero earned runs. The Lucasville, Ohio native struck out two batters and walked one in relief work to earn the victory.

In game two, the Falcons' pitchers combined to shutout the Titans and received timely hitting to earn the non-conference sweep. Kertes, Dillow and freshman Katie Turksi all combined to pitch a complete game shutout, surrendering eight hits and striking out five Titan batters in the game. Dillow (8-5), who started in the circle for BGSU, earned her second decision on the day. The sophomore worked five innings in the circle in her 34th appearance of the season. Meanwhile, Kertes and Turski both combined to all zero runs and no hits in near perfect relief work.

"Our defense played very well in game two," Salsburg said. "I thought Braiden (Dillow) did a great job of keeping them off balanced."

After Dillow worked five scoreless innings, the Falcons plated the game's only two runs in the bottom of the fifth frame. Bowling Green got the inning started when Searle singled up the middle and advanced to third base when freshman Chelsea Raker singled to center field. Stratton, who had the biggest hit in game one, continued the inning with a one-out RBI single to center field to plate the Falcons' first run. Yoho, who went 1-for-2 in the game, followed with an RBI single to right field to give the Orange and Brown a 2-0 lead.

"We had a couple big hits and manufactured runs," Salsburg said. "I was really glad to see all three phases come together today."

It was a lead Bowling Green never surrendered, as the pitching staff did not allow a single hit over the final two innings to secure their second victory of the day.

Overall, Searle led the Falcons offensively, batting 4-for-5 (.800) with three runs on the day. Yoho chipped in at the plate, gong 2-for4 with two runs and an RBI, while Amanda Durham went 3-for-7 (.429) in the two games. Stratton added two hits and a walk-off grand slam to summarize a five RBI day for the senior. Meanwhile, all three pitchers for the Orange and Brown made appearances in the circle. Dillow (2-0) allowed nine hits for zero earned runs, while Kertes worked 6.2 innings on the day, surrendering nine hits and four earned runs. Sophomore Katie Turksi also made an appearance, which marked her third appearance for the Falcons on the year.

"We look forward to this weekend and taking on Buffalo," Salsburg said.

The Falcons will be back in Mid-American Conference action this weekend (April 18-20), as the Orange and Brown will take on Buffalo and Kent State on the road. Bowling Green, who are 4-6 in MAC action, will take on the Bulls in a twin bill on Friday (April 18), which is set to begin at 1 p.m. The Orange and Brown will then travel to Kent, Ohio to take on the Golden Flashes in single affair on Saturday and Sunday.