Falcons Fall In Series Opener At NIU, 12-3

Friday, March 27

DeKalb, IL

2:05 p.m. ET

Bowling Green State University

5-15, 0-4

Northern Illinois

12-12, 3-1

Bowling Green

Northern Illinois

March 27, 2015 | Baseball

Box Score

By: by Scott Swegan, BGSU Athletic Communications

Final Statistics: HTML | PDF

DEKALB, Ill.—The Bowling Green State University baseball team continued Mid-American Conference play on Friday, losing 12-3 to Northern Illinois to begin the weekend series. The Falcons had the game to within a run after the top of the fourth, but a nine-run bottom of the fourth by the Huskies put the game out of reach. With the loss, the Falcons are now 5-15 on the season and drop to 0-4 in MAC play. The Huskies improve to 12-12 with the win, including a 3-1 ledger in conference play.

Northern Illinois scored three unearned runs in the bottom of the first inning, as a two-out error by the Falcons' defense proved to be costly. Two singles following what should have been an inning-ending groundout brought three runs across to give NIU an early 3-0 advantage.

The Falcons fought back in the top of the fourth, as Brian Bien led things off with his third double of the season. After moving up to third on a passed ball, he scored on a sacrifice fly off the bat of Brandon Howard. Trey Keegan then walked and scored later in the inning after singles by both Matt Smith and Greg Basalyga. An inning-ending double play ended the threat, leaving the tying run in scoring position.

Like so often during the Falcons' losing streak, a missed opportunity for the Orange and Brown opened the door for the opponent. Friday was no different, as the Huskies took advantage of Bowling Green's missed opportunity to the tune of a nine-run inning. With the game blown open at 12-2, Trevor Farrell came in to put the fire out with two straight foul outs.

Farrell was impressive in relief, pitching a career-high 3.1 innings and striking out three Huskies. Farrell did not allow a run before giving way to Edwardsville, Ill. native Jevon Boyd, who made his Falcon debut in the game.

The two teams will conclude the three-game weekend series on Saturday with a doubleheader beginning at 1:05 p.m. ET/12:05 p.m. CT. Jason Link and Zac Carey are expected to start the two games for the Falcons on the mound.