University of Toledo
BOWLING GREEN
Softball Loses Heartbreaker to Bowling Green, 4-3
5/1/2001 12:00:00 PM | Softball
With the setback, Toledo drops to 19-33 overall and 2-19 in MAC play, while Bowling Green improves to 32-16 and 17-4, respectively.
"Despite the loss, I thought we played a great game," Toledo Head Coach Michelle Fagnant said. "Offensively, we got the job done. I was really proud of how we played, and I believe we controlled of the game despite the outcome."
The Falcons got on the board quickly, scoring a pair of runs in the first inning. UT starter Tracy Riepenhoff issued three walks to load the bases, and BGSU's Lynsey Ebel's sharp single up the middle scored Nikki Rouhana and Jen Domschot.
The Rockets got a run back off BGSU's McKenna Houle in the second. Shortstop Deanna House hit a double that rolled to the wall in right-center, and left fielder Jenny Schaaf drilled a two-bagger off the wall in dead center to score House.
The game remained 2-1 until the fifth when the Falcons Holly Frantz led off the frame with a single, and moved to second on a sacrifice bunt. Rocket relief pitcher Kristy Kassotis got Kandice Machain to hit a grounder to shortstop, but Machain beat the throw to first for a single, with Frantz taking third. Then, after Machain stole second, Domschot singled through the left side of the infield to plate Frantz.
The Rockets threatened in the sixth, getting back-to-back hits from third basemen Laurie Nagel and House to put runners at the corners with one out. But, Houle induced first basemen Crystal Shank to hit a grounder back to the pitching circle, with the runners holding their bases, then got an inning-ending strikeout.
UT got a pair of unearned runs in the top of the seventh to knot the score at 3-3. Right fielder Danielle D'Amore had a leadoff single, but was erased on Laurie Linton's fielder's choice. Second basemen Vicki Nelson singled to move Linton to second.
After Mary Freese was inserted as a pinch-runner for Nelson at first base, designated player Kalika Stavroulakis moved the runners with a groundout to the right side of the infield. Houle induced Nagel to hit another grounder to the right side, but it was mishandled for a two-out error as Linton scored. Then, House singled up the middle, just under the glove of a diving BGSU infielder to plate Freese with the tying run.
The Falcons answered in the bottom of the frame scoring the game-winning run. BGSU's Rouhana led off by hitting a fly ball to right field that D'Amore could not handle. It bounced off her glove for a three-base error.
With runners now on first and third, Renee Rosemeier came to the plate and ripped the first pitch from Kassotis into the gap in left-center, with Rouhana scoring easily.
The Rockets outhit the Falcons, 12-8, with Nelson and House each going 3-for-4. Domschot was 2-for-3 for BGSU, as was Ebel.
Kassotis suffered the loss to drop to 7-15, despite allowing just one earned run in five-and-a-third innings. She surrendered seven hits and two total runs, and did not walk or strike out a batter.
"Kristy threw a beautiful game today," Fagnant said. "I tip my cap to her."
UT starter Riepenhoff pitched one inning, allowing two runs and one hit. She walked three Falcon batters.
Houle got the win with a complete-game effort, improving to 11-6 on the year. Houle allowed 12 hits, but just one earned run, in her seven innings. She walked one batter and struck out five.
UT will wrap its season this weekend with a three-game series against Ball State on Friday-Saturday, May 4-5 at Scott Park. Friday's single game is scheduled to start at 3:00 p.m. Saturday's twinbill is slated to commence at 1:00 p.m. Prior to the doubleheader on Saturday, three Rocket seniors, Kassotis, Nagel and Riepenhoff, will each be honored as they will be playing their final games for the Midnight Blue and Gold.
