Falcons Fall In Game One, Rebound With Shutout Win Over ETSU - WICU12/WSEE Erie, PA News, Sports, Weather and Events

Falcons Fall In Game One, Rebound With Shutout Win Over ETSU

JOHNSON CITY, TENN. – The Bowling Green State University softball team lost the first game to East Tennessee State, 5-0, Monday evening, but rebounded with a 1-0 shutout win against the Buccaneers in game two.

Sophomore Shelby Fink and freshman Marisa Shook recorded singles in game one, while senior Paige Berger recorded her first double of the season going 1-for-3 in the contest. Sophomore Jamie Kertes (1-2) started the game, allowing three earned runs and striking out four in 5.0 innings of work. Freshman Braiden Dillow made her second appearance of the year, holding the Buccaneers hitless in the final inning of play.

Bowling Green responded with a 1-0 win in game two, pushing the team's overall record to 4-3. The Falcons recorded six hits in the win, marking their second highest total of the season. Junior Katie Yoho and sophomore Chloe Giordano led the way for the Falcons offensively, each going 1-for-3 with a double. 

Sophomore Paris Imholz improved her season record to 3-0, pitching her second complete-game shutout of the season. Imholz held East Tennessee State to just four hits, while also recording a season-best seven strikeouts. Imholz fell one strikeout short of her career-best, set last season against Detroit on April 11.

The Falcons scored the only run they would need in the top of the second inning, recording two hits and leaving two runners on in the frame. After a hit batter and a sacrifice bunt, junior Erika Stratton knocked a single to left field. Imholz, who was pinch running, moved to third on Stratton's single, setting up Giordano's RBI double to left field in the next at bat. Imholz scored on the play, giving Giordano her first extra-base hit of the season, and first RBI.

Imholz took care of the Buccaneers the rest of the way, blanking ETSU to secure the 1-0 victory for the Falcons.

"It was great to be back on the field," said head coach Shannon Salsburg. "Game two we played a much more complete game. Paris threw great and we had some outstanding defensive plays, especially in the outfield."

The Falcons have played in just seven games this season thanks to snow, marking one of the lowest game totals in the MAC. At this point last season, Bowling Green had played in 12 contests, going 7-5 in that span.

"We are hoping the weather cooperates with us the next few days," Salsburg continued. "It is vital that we continue to get on the field to help us work out the kinks. I look forward to seeing our continued progress."