Falcons Drop a Pair at Hoosier Classic on Saturday

Saturday, March 2

Bloomington, Ind.

12 p.m.

Bowling Green State University

Indiana

Cameron Kaufman at Battle at the Beach - Feb 24 2024

Photo by: Joel Beachum

March 02, 2024 | Softball

Box Score 1 Box Score 2

Kaufman, Williamson each have a hit in both games

By: by Mike Cihon, BGSU Strategic Communications

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – The Bowling Green State University softball team dropped a pair of games at the Hoosier Classic on Saturday (March 2). Host Indiana University scored five sixth-inning runs for an 8-0 victory over the Falcons, who then fell to Valparaiso University, 5-3, several hours later at Andy Mohr Field.

Reagan Williamson and Cameron Kaufman each had a hit in both games for the Falcons (1-6). Williamson had a first-inning home run vs. Valparaiso, and in her first collegiate at-bat, freshman Kaylee Cole had an inside-the-park homer one inning later.

The Hoosiers (14-4) had a 7-2 hits advantage in Saturday's first game. IU had two singles in each of the first two innings, but BGSU starter Scarlett Anderson then worked three scoreless (and hitless) frames before the Hoosiers scored five times in the sixth.

In the nightcap, the Falcons and Beacons (4-12) combined to score seven of the game's eight runs in the first two innings.Taylor Turner, after surrendering four runs and six hits during that time, then settled down to pitch three-straight hitless frames.

BGSU-INDIANA – HOW IT HAPPENED
• The Hoosiers threatened, but did not score in the first inning. A pair of singles put two runners aboard with nobody out, and a one-out passed ball allowed the runners to move up. But, on the play, Cora Bassett was out trying to score from second base, and BGSU starter Scarlet Anderson then got a ground ball to second to retire the side.
• In the second inning, however, the hosts took the lead. Aly VanBrandt led off with a single, and after a hit-by-pitch put two runners on, Brooke Benson had a one-out, run-scoring single to left. Back-to-back walks plated another run, and the Hoosiers took a three-run lead as another run scored on a wild pitch.
• Beginning with the final out of the second inning, Anderson retired 10 of 12 batters, with IU's only baserunners during that time coming on a third-inning walk and a fifth-inning infield error. But, IU pitcher Brianna Copeland was matching goose eggs with Anderson.
• Cameron Kaufman drew a third-inning walk, and Lexi Carver reached via a base on balls in the fourth. The fifth inning saw Kaufman single and steal second base with two outs, but Copeland set down the next BG batter.
• BGSU's only other hit came on a Reagan Williamson single to start the sixth, but BGSU could not cut into the deficit.
• In the bottom of the sixth, Avery Parker hit a leadoff homer, and after a bunt single, Benson's two-run shot gave the Hoosiers a 6-0 lead.
• A hit batter and a walk put two runners aboard, and the Hoosiers – leading by six runs in the sixth – attempted a double steal, which was successful, and both runners came around to score when the throw to third was off line. That gave IU an eight-run lead and ended the contest.

BGSU-VALPARAISO – HOW IT HAPPENED
• BGSU jumped on top in the first inning. Peyton Steffes led off the game with a bunt single, and continued on to second when the throw to first was wide. One out later, Reagan Williamson clubbed a two-run homer to put the Orange and Brown on top.
• But, the Beacons responded in the bottom of the inning. After a pair of singles put runners aboard with one out, Regi Hecker had a two-run single to tie the contest.
• In the second inning, Kaylee Cole had her first collegiate at-bat with two outs. Cole hit a liner to left-center that went all the way to the wall, and when the smoke had cleared, Cole was sliding into home safely with an inside-the-park homer.
• But, three-straight singles began the Valpo half of the second inning, and a walk to Kayla Skapyak scored a run. Taylor Turner got Alexis Johnson to hit into a double play, but a run scored on that play, giving VU a 4-3 lead. The Beacons got back-to-back walks to reload the bases, but Turner then struck out Hecker on three pitches to end the inning.
• After allowing a combined nine hits over the first two innings, starting pitchers Turner and Sydney McDermott then allowed a grand total of zero hits over the next three and a half frames. The only baserunners during that time came when VU's Cici Wilson was hit by a pitch in the third inning and Kam Utendorf drew a walk several batters later.
• But, in the bottom of the sixth, Natalie Bush led off with a pinch-hit single, and Utendorf reached when her bunt died in fair ground near the third-base line. A sacrifice bunt moved the runners up, and a sac fly by Johnson gave the Beacons a two-run lead.
• That was enough for McDermott, who allowed only a Kaufman single in the seventh before getting the final out.

UP NEXT
• The Falcons continue action in the Hoosier Classic on Sunday (March 3), taking on Valparaiso in an 11:00 a.m. start. The game will be streamed on Big Ten Network Plus.

• Then, BGSU will travel to Morehead, Ky., for a three-game series vs. Morehead State. The teams will play a Wednesday (March 6) doubleheader before meeting in a single game the next day.

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.