Shook's Shot Not Enough as Falcons Fall Sunday

Sunday, February 28

Mobile, AL

11:00 AM

Bowling Green State University

5-8

Wichita State

8-6

Bowling Green

Wichita State

Photo by: BGSU Strategic Communications

February 28, 2016 | Softball

Box Score

Wichita State builds double-digit lead en route to 11-3 win

By: MOBILE, Ala. (BGSU Athletic Communications)

Senior Marisa Shook homered for the second-straight day, but it was too little, too late as the Bowling Green State University softball team fell to Wichita State University, 11-3 in five innings Sunday (Feb. 28). The game was the Falcons' final contest in the South Alabama Invitational at Jaguar Field.

The Shockers (8-6) pounded out 12 hits and were 10-of-19 with runners on base in the game. WSU scored three times in the first inning and five times in the third, taking an 11-run lead with a three-run fourth before the Falcons (5-8) got on the board in the top of the fifth.

BGSU-WSU STATS: HTML | PDF

BG's runs scored on a sacrifice fly by junior Aspen Searle and Shook's two-run shot. Shook now has six homers on the young season.

"This game is about doing the little things right," said Falcon head coach Sarah Willis. "We looked like we forgot how to play fundamental softball today. We need to get tougher mentally, and that will be our focus this week in our preparation for Towson."

The Falcons got a pair of baserunners in the top of the first, as Shook reached on a two-out throwing error, and junior Haley Schrock followed with a single to right. But, WSU starter Katie Malone was able to get a strikeout to retire the side.

Kelli Spring led off the home half of the first with a single off of freshman Brooke Parker, and she took second on a sacrifice bunt by Mackenzie Wright. Spring advanced to third on a grounder to the right side, then scored on a single up the middle by Paige Luellen.

Then, Liz Broyles singled, and Luellen would score on a double by Cacy Williams, with Broyles advancing to third. Junior Briana Combs entered the game for the Falcons. A third run crossed the plate when an illegal pitch was called, but the Falcons got out of the inning when a delayed double steal attempt was unsuccessful.

BGSU got a two-out runner in the second on a single by sophomore Katee Hinkle, but Malone induced a fly ball to left for the third out. In the bottom of the inning, Combs struck out McKenzie Adams before allowing a single to Ashley Johnson. But, the BG junior got Spring to pop up on a bunt attempt, with Falcon catcher Morgan Evangelista gloving the ball for out number two. Wright reached on an error, with Johnson taking third to put runners at the corners, but Combs got Brittany Fortner to ground out to second.

For the first time in the game, the Brown and Orange got the leadoff batter on base, as senior Marina Cobbs singled up the middle to begin the third. But, a fly ball and a fielder's choice produced two outs, and Schrock's line drive was caught by Broyles at second.

Luellen walked, then stole second, in the home half of the third. Broyles reached on an error, and when Williams reached on an infield single, the bases were loaded with no outs. Everyone moved up one base on Cassidy Kelsheimer's single through the left side of the infield, with Luellen scoring, and two more runs came across on a pinch-hit double by Bethany Canada. Johnson's infield single made it a 7-0 game.

Katie Turski came on in relief, and walked Spring, but the senior then got Wright to hit a grounder to third base, and Canada was forced at the plate. But, a sacrifice fly scored the Shockers' eighth run of the day.

WSU extended the lead in the fourth on three walks and three singles, not necessarily in that order. Parker returned to the game and got a strikeout and a weak popup to shortstop to retire the side.

The Falcons got on the scoreboard in the fifth, with three runs. Hinkle reached on an error, and junior Sami Parave reached on a grounder back to Malone in the circle. The WSU hurler did not make a throw as both runners were safe. Then, after a passed ball, Cobbs drew a walk to load the bases with no outs.

Junior Aspen Searle came to the plate and lifted a fly ball to right, with Hinkle tagging and scoring the Falcons' first run, but Cobbs being tagged out on the play for the second out. Then, Shook's blast to center scored Parave ahead of her, before Malone was able to get the final out.

The Falcons now prepare for a trip to Towson, Md., for BG's fourth tournament in as many weekends. The Brown and Orange will participate in the Tiger Clash (March 5-6), facing Morgan State and host Towson twice each.