Bulldogs Best BG in Final Game in Louisiana

Saturday, February 25

Lafayette, LA

9:30 AM

Bowling Green State University

6-8

Drake

11-5

Bowling Green

Drake

Taylor Blevins v Tiffin - Oct 2016 - Paul Duncan photo

February 25, 2017 | Softball

Box Score

Drake captures a 9-1 decision at the Mardi Gras Invitational

By: LAFAYETTE, La. (BGSU Athletic Communications)

Drake University scored three first-inning runs to take control early, then used the long ball to put the game away, as the Bulldogs downed the Bowling Green State University softball team, 9-1, Saturday morning (Feb. 25). The game, the Falcons' final contest in the Mardi Gras Invitational, was held at Lamson Park.

The Bulldogs (11-5) outhit the Falcons (6-8) by an 8-4 count. But, three of Drake's eight hits were round-trippers. Sarah Maddox led the say, going 3-for-3 with a pair of homers and five runs batted in, while Taryn Pena was 2-for-2 with a homer and three RBI.

The Falcons were led by freshman Logan Everett, who went 2-for-2 with a double and an RBI. Redshirt junior Aspen Searle also had a two-base hit, while redshirt junior Chelsea Raker walked in her only two plate appearances.

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The Falcons looked to mount a two-out rally in the top of the first, as Searle doubled to right-center and Raker drew a base on balls. But, Drake starter Aryka Knoche got the next batter to hit a grounder to first base, ending the threat. Then, DU got on the board in the bottom of the frame.

A pair of walks put two runners aboard with one out. Maddox singled to load the bases, and an infield hit by Kailee Smith plated Kelsey Wright for the game's first run. Then, Pena's single scored two more Bulldogs, before BG starter Briana Combs got the Mandi Roemmich to hit a double-play grounder.

Everett got as far as third base in the second inning, as she lined a base hit down the right-field line and continued all the way to third on an error. But, Knoche got a grounder back to the circle for the second out, with Everett forced to hold, and the DU pitcher struck out the next Falcon.

Combs retired the side in order in the bottom of the second, needing only eight pitches to do so, but in the third, a pair of long balls doubled the Drake lead. After Tasha Alexander singled to lead off the inning, a one-out, two-run homer by Maddox made it a 5-0 game, and with two down, Pena homered to give DU a six-run lead.

The Falcons got on the board in the fourth. Raker led off with a walk, and senior Haley Schrock bunted pinch-runner Katee Hinkle to second. The junior took third on a grounder by classmate Kayla Gregory, and Everett ripped a two-out double that enabled Hinkle to score easily.

But, in the bottom of the inning, after BG reliever Meredith Miller retired the first two batters, back-to-back walks brought Maddox to the plate and she hit her second homer of the day. Falcon freshman Kendyl Wheeler singled with two out in the fifth, taking second on a wild pitch, but Knoche induced the next hitter to hit a game-ending groundout.

Knoche picked up the win with five innings of one-run, four-hit ball. She issued two walks and struck out four. At the plate, Alexander and Megan Sowa each went 1-for-2 with a walk and two runs scored for the Bulldogs.

"Facing the competition we saw at the Mardi Gras Invitational was a good experience for our program," said Falcon head coach Sarah Willis. "In order to grow the program we have to face the top teams in the country. Our players played on a big stage this weekend and had some great moments from which we will build."

The Falcons now prepare for next weekend's Red & Black Tournament in Louisville, Ky. BGSU will play a total of five games from Friday to Sunday (March 4-6), playing two games each against Indiana State and Green Bay and one vs. the host school, Louisville.