BGSU Bests Bucs, 5-2, to Begin Weekend Tourney Action

Friday, February 20

Johnson City, Tenn.

2:30 p.m.

Bowling Green State University

7-1

ETSU

4-1

Bowling Green

East Tennessee State

Addie Martin homer at ETSU | Feb. 20, 2026

The Falcons celebrate as Addie Martin (0) touches the plate after her sixth-inning homer

February 20, 2026 | Softball

Box Score Photo Gallery

Simko's Three-Run Double Puts Falcons Ahead for Good

By: by Mike Cihon, BGSU Strategic Communications

JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. – Freshman Hannah Simko's three-run double broke a scoreless tie in the fifth inning, and the Bowling Green State University softball team went on to a 5-2 win over East Tennessee State University Friday afternoon (Feb. 20). The game, part of day-one action in the ETSU Tournament, was held at Betty Basler Field.

Redshirt sophomore Addie Martin homered for the Falcons (7-1), who are off to a school record-tying start to the season. Redshirt freshman Jilliyn Gardner stole home for BGSU's fifth run.

In the circle, senior Mackenzie Krafcik allowed two runs and scattered seven hits en route to the complete-game win over the previously-undefeated Bucs (4-1).

NOTE OF THE DAY
• As mentioned, the Falcons are 7-1 on the young season. That is tied for the best start in school history.
• The 2018 team also was 7-1 after eight games. That '18 squad went on to a 9-1 record before suffering a second loss.

BGSU-ETSU – HOW IT HAPPENED
• The Falcons had at least one baserunner in each of the first four innings, but could not break through against ETSU starting pitcher Taylor Suchy. Hannah Simko led off the game with a single and stole second, while Peyton Steffes reached base on a one-out bunt in the second inning and Ashley Chevalier walked to begin the third.
• In the fourth, both Taylor Behrendt and Cameron Kaufman singled, but in each case, the Falcons could not get a runner past second base.
• Meanwhile, however, Mackenzie Krafcik was matching Suchy goose egg for goose egg. The BG senior responded from a two-out double by striking out the next batter in the first.
• Krafcik worked a one-two-three second inning, then retired three-straight batters after allowing a leadoff single in the third. She did the same after Suchy's leadoff double in the fourth, setting down the next three batters. In both the third and fourth frames, an ETSU runner was stranded at third base.
• In the fourth, the Falcons broke on top. Addie Martin led off with a single, and promptly stole second base. Chevalier walked, and a wild pitch moved pinch-runner Delaney Davis and Martin to second and third, respectively.
• Hanna Massaro walked on four pitches to load the bases, and Simko came through with a double to left that scored all three runners.
• Katie Hutter reached on an error, and Behrendt followed with a sac bunt, but Suchy was able to get the third out.
• ETSU responded with two runs in the bottom of the fifth. Riley Martins singled with one out, and Abigail Taylor had a two-out hit before Riley Croley followed with a base hit that scored both runners.
• Martin gave the Falcons a two-run lead in the sixth, with a one-out homer to left, and Krafcik set down the Bucs in order in the bottom of the inning.
• In the seventh, Hutter led off with a single, and after a pitching change, the next two Falcons were retired. But, Kaufman walked, and pinch-runner Jilliyn Gardner went to third on a passed ball. Then, Gardner stole home for the Falcons' fifth run of the day, with Kaufman taking second on the play.
• Sienna Hutchins, in her first collegiate at-bat, came through with a single, and Martin was hit by a pitch to load the bases before the Bucs got out number three.
• Martens doubled with one out in the seventh, but Krafcik retired the next two hitters, including a game-ending strikeout of pinch-hitter Addison Merritt.
• Simko and Martin each had a pair of hits for the Falcons. Simko was 2-for-3 with the three-run double and a stolen base, while Martin went 2-for-4, also recording one of BG's five steals and scoring a pair of runs.
• Chevalier walked three times, while Kaufman had a hit and a walk in the win.
• In the circle, Krafcik allowed two runs and seven hits en route to the complete-game win. She struck out four and did not walk a batter, throwing 66 of her 95 total pitches for strikes.
• For the hosts, Martens was 3-for-3 with a double and a run scores, while Suchy went 2-for-3 with a pair of doubles. Suchy, the first of three ETSU pitchers, took the loss.

UP NEXT
• The ETSU Tournament continues on Saturday (Feb. 21), with BGSU playing a pair of games. The Falcons are slated to face Tennessee State in a 10:30 a.m. start, before meeting the host school once again, in a game scheduled for 1:00 p.m.
• BGSU will wrap up weekend action with Sunday (Feb. 22) games against both the Bucs and the Tigers.

ETSU TOURNAMENT
Betty Basler Field; Greenville, S.C.

Friday, Feb. 20
Bowling Green 5, at ETSU 2
Tennessee State at ETSU, 5:00 p.m.

Saturday, Feb. 21
Bowling Green vs. Tennessee State, 10:30 a.m.
Bowling Green at ETSU, 1:00 p.m.
Tennessee State at ETSU, 3:00 p.m.

Sunday, Feb. 22
Bowling Green at ETSU, 10:30 a.m.
Bowling Green vs. Tennessee State, 1:00 p.m.
Tennessee State at ETSU, 3:00 p.m.

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