Broncos Blank BGSU, 1-0, in Series Opener

Friday, March 20

Kalamazoo, Mich.

3 p.m.

Bowling Green State University

13-11, 1-3

Western Michigan

11-12, 2-2

Bowling Green

Western Michigan

Izzy Ray (right) reacts to a diving catch made by Peyton Steffes on Friday afternoon

Photo by: Ashley Blanchard, WMU Athletics

March 20, 2026 | Softball

Box Score

Teams will return to Ebert Field for Saturday Twinbill

By: by Mike Cihon, BGSU Strategic Communications

KALAMAZOO, Mich. – Western Michigan University made a first-inning run hold up, as the Broncos topped the Bowling Green State University softball team, 1-0, on Friday afternoon (March 20). The game, the opener of the team's three-game Mid-American Conference series, was held at Ebert Field.

Senior Mackenzie Krafcik allowed just six hits in her complete-game effort for the Falcons (13-11, 1-3 MAC), but the BGSU offense was shut out for the first time in 2026. Senior Hannah Hunt and junior Cameron Kaufman each had two hits for the visitors.

Ava Geyer allowed six hits en route to the complete-game win for the Broncos (11-12, 2-2 MAC)

Falcon freshman Izzy Ray made her first collegiate start on Friday. She had made two previous appearances on the year, both as a pinch runner. Ray singled in her first collegiate at-bat.

BGSU-WMU – HOW IT HAPPENED
• The Broncos scored what would prove to be the game's only run in the bottom of the first. Bella Duncan led off with a double, took third on a fly ball to right and scored on a Caitlin Tighe single up the middle
• The Falcons flashed the leather in the second inning, as shortstop Cameron Kaufman snagged a line drive to begin the frame, and center fielder Peyton Steffes made a diving catch in right-center to end it.
• In the bottom of the fourth, the Broncos had runners at first and second with no outs after a Tighe single and a Jadeyn Merrill walk. But, on a Rylee O'Brien grounder, shortstop Kaufman stepped on the second-base bag, then fired to first for a double play. Kaufman also threw out the next hitter to end the inning.
• In the sixth, Western put runners on first and third with just one down, but Mackenzie Krafcik struck out Jordan Smith, while catcher Ashley Chevalier threw out pinch-runner Haleigh Smith attempting to steal, for an inning-ending double play.
• In the seventh inning, Kaufman led off with an infield single, as first baseman Liliana Janeczko made a diving stop of a hard-hit ball, but could not beat Kaufman to the bag. Hannah Hunt laid down a one-out bunt down the first-base line, beating out the roller for another infield single. But, Geyer was able to strike out the next hitter before getting a game-ending fly ball to center.

UP NEXT
• The Falcons and Broncos conclude their weekend series with a Saturday (March 21) doubleheader, with game one scheduled to begin at 1:00 p.m. at Ebert Field.
• Then, the Orange and Brown will return to Northwest Ohio for the next four games, including a three-game series with Buffalo next weekend (March 27-28), followed by a midweek matchup with Ohio State (March 31).

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.