Falcons Fall to Rockets in Rossford

Friday, March 17

Rossford, OH

1:00 PM

Bowling Green State University

7-14, 0-1

Toledo

8-11, 1-0

Bowling Green

Toledo

Photo by: Katie Manger, Toledo Athletics

March 17, 2023 | Softball

Box Score 1 Box Score 2

UT takes a pair on Friday; Series will conclude Sunday evening

By: by Mike Cihon, BGSU Strategic Communications

ROSSFORD, Ohio – The University of Toledo scored early in each game on Friday afternoon (March 17), sweeping a doubleheader against the Bowling Green State University softball team. The Rockets captured wins by scores of 6-1 and 7-3 on the opening day of the Mid-American Conference season at Total Sports in Rossford.

Marti Henkel was 3-for-4 in Friday's twinbill, with a pinch-hit RBI single in the opening game and a pair of hits in the nightcap, while Wynnie Reid and Sophie Weber each had a hit in both games for the Falcons (7-15, 0-2 MAC)

The Rockets (9-11, 2-0 MAC) scored three runs in the first inning of the opener, then put two runs in the board in the opening inning of the second game, and UT never trailed in either game.

Sydney Stepp pitched in relief in both games, throwing a total of 3 2/3 innings and allowing just two hits.

BGSU v TOLEDO GAME 1 – HOW IT HAPPENED
• The Falcons put a pair of runners aboard in the top of the first inning, as Peyton Dolejs was hit by a pitch and Sophie Weber singled with one out. But, UT starter Erin Hunt got a ground ball that resulted in a force at third, followed by a strikeout.
• In the bottom of the first, a Lexi Eckman liner went for a ground-rule double against BG starter Hannah Davies, and Anna Dixon singled her home, giving UT the lead. After a hit batter, Riley Mohr followed with an RBI double, and a ground ball scored another Rocket runner.
• Toledo put two more runs on the board in the fourth. Leah Munson walked, Aleah Marra singled and a sac bunt put both runners in scoring position. Eckman's groundout plated one run, and Dixon singled home another.
• The fifth inning saw UT load the bases on a hit batter, a bloop single and a base hit through the left side. Then, Macey Moore singled to score a run, but BG centerfielder Makailah Dees cut down a Rocket attempting to score from second, and reliever Sydney Stepp got a strikeout and a weak grounder back to the circle.
• The Falcons had gotten baserunners in each of the first four innings, including a Reagan Williamson walk in the second inning, a Dolejs walk and a Weber hit-by-pitch in the third, and a Wynnie Reid single in the fourth. But, Hunt and the Rockets were able to keep the Falcons off of the scoreboard.
• BGSU broke through in the sixth inning after the first two hitters were retired. Hannah Hunt reached base on an error, Williamson was hit by a pitch, and after a wild pitch, Reid walked to load the bases. Then, pinch-hitter Marti Henkel singled up the middle to plate Hunt. But, the UT pitcher was able to avoid further damage by getting a ground ball for a force at second.
• And, several BG batters were robbed of hits in the seventh, as a hot shot by Dolejs was snagged at third base, and a Weber flare resulted in a diving catch in left, before a grounder ended the contest.
• Reid and Henkel each were 1-for-1 in the game, with Reid also drawing a walk and laying down a sac bunt. Henkel drove in BG's only run, while Weber singled and was hit by a pitch. Dolejs also was hit by a pitch and drew a walk as well.
• Stepp allowed just one hit in two scoreless innings of relief, walking one and striking out two.
• Dixon went 3-for-3 for the Rockets, while Eckman and Mohr had two hits each.

BGSU v TOLEDO GAME 2 – HOW IT HAPPENED
• UT got on the board in the first inning, as Dixon doubled off of BG starter Scarlet Anderson, and Jenna Kroll singled her home. Kroll went to second on the throw to the plate, then continued to third when the ball hit the sliding Dixon and caromed away. From there, she scored on a wild pitch.
• A one-out error led to a pair of Rocket runs in the second inning, as with two down, Dixon tripled into the gap in right-center to score a pair of teammates.
• Two more runs in the fourth inning gave UT a six-run lead. After a walk, Eckman laid down a bunt, and the throw to first was off line, putting runners at the corners. Then, with two outs and runners at second and third, Kroll's single scored both of those runners.
• BGSU got a pair or runs back in the fifth. Henkel led off with a single, and Reid had a one-out hit. A passed ball moved the runners up 60 feet each, and a wild pitch scored Henkel, with Reid coming around to score as well after the catcher's throw back to the plate bounced away.
• Toledo scored a run in the bottom of the inning when Lauren Erickson walked and stole second, took third on an Aubrey Reed single, and scored on a bunt by Madison Mikulski.
• The Falcons got a run back in the sixth. Delaney Davis walked, and Dolejs bunted her to second, before Weber singled her home. BG got runners as far as second and third after Henkel reached on an error and stole second, but UT hurler Sophia Knight got an inning-ending strikeout.
• Henkel was 2-for-3 with a run scored, as she went 3-for-4 on the day.
• Reid singled and scored, while Dees had a hit and Davis walked twice and scored a run. Weber had an RBI single in Friday's second game.
• Anderson allowed three earned runs before leaving the game with one out in the fifth. Stepp got the final five outs, allowing no runs and one hit.

UP NEXT
• The Falcons and Rockets wrap up their three-game weekend series on Sunday evening (March 19), with a single game at Total Sports in Rossford. That contest is set to start at 6:00 p.m. and will be televised by BCSN. Sunday's game will be streamed on the BCSN App as well as on ESPN3.
• Then, BGSU will begin the home portion of the 2023 schedule with six-straight contests at Meserve Field. The Falcons will host Ohio (March 24-25) and Western Michigan (March 28-29) for three games each.

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