GAINESVILLE, Fla. – The Bowling Green State University softball team gave the No. 3-ranked University of Florida everything the Gators wanted and more on Saturday.
The Falcons twice rallied from multiple-run deficits, and BGSU took the lead in the fifth inning, but the hosts ultimately came away with a 10-7 win.
The game was part of day-two action at the T-Mobile Tournament. The three-day event is taking place at UF’s Katie Seashole Pressly Stadium.
The Falcons (3-5) pounded out 12 hits against three Florida pitchers in the contest, rallying from an early deficit with a four-run third inning that briefly tied the score.
The Gators responded with two runs in the bottom of the third to retake the lead, but BGSU pushed three runs across the board in the fifth inning to go ahead by a 7-6 score. It marked the first time Florida had trailed this season.
But, the nationally-ranked hosts countered with three runs in the bottom of the fifth, then added a run in the sixth for the final margin.
Hannah Davies battled all day long in the circle, and Ellie Price made her BGSU debut, getting the final three outs.
At the plate, no fewer than four Falcons had multi-hit games, as Sophie Weber went 2-for-3 and Ally Bezjak, Peyton Dolejs and Maycee Godbolt all were 2-for-4. Weber scored two runs, while Bezjak had three RBI and Regan Williamson two.
The Gators opened the day with a 6-0 record on the young season, and Florida had outscored opponents, 74-5, in those six games. BGSU outscored those six opponents combined.
BGSU is the first team this season to force Florida to play a seven-inning game. The Falcons hit .364 in the game, and BGSU batted .462 (6-of-13) with two outs and .563 (9-for-16) with runners on bases.
BG also hit .615 (8-for-13) with runners in scoring position against the Gators, and the Falcons were 4-for-5 (.800) with the bases loaded in Saturday’s game.
BGSU will prepare for next weekend’s UE Softball Invitational II, hosted by Evansville. The Falcons are slated to play five games in that tourney, beginning with Friday (Feb. 24) matchups vs. Purdue Fort Wayne and St. Thomas.
