Fourth, Fifth Frames Fateful for Falcons Friday

Friday, April 6

Toledo, OH

12:00 PM ET

Bowling Green State University

18-16, 1-6

Toledo

23-13, 7-1

Bowling Green

Toledo

Sammy Dees (7) had a 2-run single on Friday afternoon at UT

April 06, 2018 | Softball

Box Score

UT posts 8-2 win in the Glass City

By: TOLEDO, Ohio (BGSU Athletic Communications)

The University of Toledo scored two unearned runs in the fourth inning, then broke the game open with a five-run fifth inning, and the Rockets went on to an 8-2 victory over the Bowling Green State University softball team Friday (April 6). The Mid-American Conference game was held at Scott Park.

LINKS
BGSU-UT STATISTICS: PDF

The Falcons had overcome an early one-run deficit with a pair of runs in the third inning. Freshman Sammy Dees singled to score juniors Hannah Giammarino and Alex Sorgi, giving the Falcons a 2-1 lead.

But, a two-out error led to a pair of unearned Rocket runs in the fourth, and in the fifth, the hosts benefitted from a pair of well-placed bloop hits and also added two extra-base blasts to take a six-run lead.

UT held a narrow 6-5 advantage in hits on the day.

QUOTING COACH WILLIS
"We played a good game through four innings today. We need to find a way to stay sharp on defense and continue to make adjustments at the plate. We know who we will see in the circle tomorrow and what adjustments are needed."

BGSU-UT – HOW IT HAPPENED

The Falcons got a baserunner in each of the first two innings, including a one-out single by freshman Sammy Dees in the first. Junior Kaylee Parker reached on a UT error in the second, but in both cases, BG could not advance the runner.
BG starter Meredith Miller retired the Rockets in order in the first inning, striking out the last two batters. Miller set down the first two hitters in the second, before Bekah Yenrick homered to center field to give the Rockets an early lead.
The Brown and Orange bounced right back, with four hits and a pair of runs in the third inning. Junior Hannah Giammarino hit Kailey Minarchick's first pitch of the inning to the base of the wall in center for a leadoff double.
Then, junior Alex Sorgi slapped a pitch past the diving UT shortstop and into left field, putting runners at the corners. Sorgi stole second base on the very next pitch, and Dees then fouled off two pitches before lining a single up the middle that plated both runners.
Dees was retired on a fielder's choice, but senior Laine Simmons got on base with a two-out single to right, moving junior Kali Holcomb around to third. Minarchick, however, was able to get out of the inning with a ground ball.
Miller retired the Rockets in order in the home half of the third, but UT retook the lead with two unearned runs in the fourth. Bailey Curry singled with one out, and after a soft liner to right produced the second out, Ashley Rausch was hit by a pitch to put two runners aboard. Then, Yenrick's grounder up the middle took a bad hop and caromed away for a BG error. On the play, a throw to third base skipped away, and when the dust had settled, two runs had crossed the plate and the Rockets had a 3-2 lead.
In the fifth, Ami Ill reached on a bloop double that was just out of reach of a diving Alex Sorgi in shallow center, and a bunt resulted in a fielder's choice that put runners at the corners.
Kylie Norwood doubled to score both runners, and Ebony Garza hit a blooper that sailed just over the head of second baseman Dees.
The Falcons made a pitching change, but Curry greeted freshman Olivia Riener with a drive to center for a three-run homer. Riener bounced back, retiring three of the next four hitters, but the Rockets had a six-run lead.
After the Rocket fifth, there was a combined total of one more baserunner the rest of the way. Giammarino reached on a two-out walk by UT reliever Heather Webb, but Webb retired the next hitter to close out the game.

BGSU-UT STATS & LEADERS

Webb picked up the win for the Rockets, with four hitless innings of relief. She walked one batter and struck out eight.
Minarchick, the UT starter, allowed two runs and five hits in three innings of work.
Miller took the loss for the Falcons despite pitching much better than her stat line might indicate. She was charged with seven runs (five earned) on five hits in four-plus innings. Miller struck out four and did not issue a walk.
Riener pitched one inning of relief, allowing a run and a hit. Fellow freshman Madison French worked a one-two-three seventh inning in the circle, striking out one UT batter.
At the plate, the hosts had a narrow 6-5 hits advantage. Curry was 2-for-3 with the three-run homer, while four of her teammates had one hit each.
Dees went 2-for-3 for the Falcons, driving in both BG runs.
Giammarino was 1-for-2 with a walk and a run, while Alex Sorgi went 1-for-4 and also scored a run.
Simmons had a hit in three at-bats for the visitors.

UP NEXT

The Falcons and Rockets conclude their three-game weekend series on Saturday (April 7) at Scott Park. The first pitch of game one is scheduled for 1:00 p.m., and both games are scheduled to be available on the web via ESPN3.com.
Then, the Orange and Brown will host Miami University in a Wednesday (April 11) doubleheader at Meserve Field. That twinbill also is set for a 1:00 p.m. start.

FOLLOW THE FALCONS

For more information on all things BGSU softball, follow the Falcons on Twitter (@BGAthletics and @BGSUSoftball), Instagram (@bgsu_softball) and Snapchat (BGSU Falcons) as well as on the web right here at BGSUFalcons.com.