Chippewas Strike Early En Route to 4-0 Win

Tuesday, April 25

Mount Pleasant, MI

3:00 PM

Bowling Green State University

8-34, 1-21-0

Central Michigan

25-19, 15-6-0

Bowling Green

Central Michigan

Photo by: Luke Allen, BGSU Athletics

April 25, 2023 | Softball

Box Score

Davies throws three innings of no-hit relief on the road vs. MAC leaders

By: by Mike Cihon, BGSU Strategic Communications

MOUNT PLEASANT, Mich. – The Bowling Green State University softball team held league-leading Central Michigan University without a hit over the final three-plus innings, but the Falcons fell to the Chippewas, 4-0, on Tuesday (April 25) afternoon. The Mid-American Conference matchup took place at Margo Jonker Stadium.

Hannah Davies threw three-innings of scoreless, no-hit relief for the Falcons (8-34, 1-21 MAC). She faced just two batters over the minimum, walking two hitters and striking out five.

But, the Chippewas (25-19, 15-6 MAC) scored three runs on back-to-back two-out hits in the first inning, then added a run in the second. CMU had six hits in the game, but after a leadoff single in the third inning, the hosts would not get another hit.

The early run support, however, was all CMU starter Grace Lehto needed. She worked out of a bases-loaded jam in the opening inning, and retired 16-straight batters before issuing two seventh-inning walks. Lehto allowed just one hit in her complete-game shutout win.

Wynnie Reid had that hit for the Falcons, while Reagan Williamson walked twice to increase her team-leading total to 18 on the season. Mackenzie Krafcik made the first plate appearance of her collegiate career in the seventh inning, and drew a base on balls as well.

BGSU-CMU – HOW IT HAPPENED
• The Falcons loaded the bases in the top of the first inning, as Wynnie Reid beat out a grounder to short for a one-out single, before Reagan Williamson drew a two-out walk. Then, Marti Henkel was hit by a Grace Lehto pitch. But, Lehto was able to get a fly ball to center to end the threat.
• Lehto threw 37 pitches in the first inning.
• The Chippewas took the lead in the bottom of the first, as after a single and a walk, Skylar Coberley doubled to right-center to plate both runners. Then, Coberley came around to score on a single by Lucy Cronin, making it a 3-0 game.
• Central added to the lead when Faith Callahan led off the second inning with a single, advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt and scored on a Kelsey Alexander base hit.
• The Chippewas threatened in the third, putting runners at first and second with one out, before an unconventional double play ended the inning. Third baseman Sophie Weber made a diving stop of Maddie Springer one-hopper. Weber tagged the bag and threw to first from her knees. The throw was off-line and skipped past first baseman Ally Bezjak, but Bezjak tracked the ball down in foul territory and fired the ball home in plenty of time for catcher Williamson to put the tag on Emily Bracamonte attempting to score.
• Hannah Davies came on in relief for the Falcons in the fourth, and did not allow any CMU batter to put the ball in play in that frame. Davies struck out the first would-be hitter she faced, and after a hit-by-pitch and a walk, she had two more strikeouts to end the inning.
• And, Davies set down the Chippewas in order in the fifth, ending that frame with back-to-back strikeouts as well.
• Davies faced the minimum three batters again in the sixth. After a one-out walk, Williamson threw out a CMU pinch-runner attempting to steal second. Then, Weber made a diving grab of a soft liner by Abbey Tolmie to end the inning.
• But, Lehto retired 16-straight batters after loading the bases in the first inning. After Henkel's HBP, the Falcons did not get another baserunner until Williamson led off the seventh inning with her second walk of the game. A pair of grounders resulted in back-to-back outs, before Katie Hutter advanced to second on a passed ball. Mackenzie Krafcik, in the first plate appearance of her collegiate career, drew a walk, but Lehto was able to get a game-ending strikeout.
• Coberley had two of CMU's six hits, while Michaleigh Vallimont singled and walked twice.

UP NEXT
• BGSU and Central Michigan will conclude their three-game series with a Wednesday (April 26) doubleheader. First pitch of Wednesday's first game is scheduled for 1:00 p.m. at Margo Jonker Stadium. As was the case with Tuesday's game, both Wednesday contests are scheduled to be streamed via Chippewas All-Access.
• Then, the Orange and Brown will close the home schedule when Kent State comes to town this weekend. The Falcons and Flashes will meet in a Saturday twinbill and a Sunday single game. BG's remaining schedule is below.

REMAINING REGULAR-SEASON SCHEDULE
• Wednesday, April 26 – at Central Mich. – 1:00 p.m. (DH) – Chippewas All-Access
• Saturday, April 29 – KENT STATE – 1:00 p.m. (DH)
• Sunday, April 30 – KENT STATE – 12:00 p.m.
• Friday, May 5 – at Northern Illinois – 4:00 p.m. – NIU All-Access
• Saturday, May 6 – at Northern Illinois – 2:00 p.m. (DH) – NIU All-Access
HOME games at Meserve Field

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.