By Kalen Lumpkins
Special to the Sentinel-Tribune
Bowling Green’s errors were too much to overcome as the Bobcats fell to visiting Sylvania Northview, 11-6, in a Northern Lakes League softball game Thursday.
Northview improves to 6-5 while the Bobcats fall to 6-4. This is the second loss in three games for BG, but coach Cassie Nauman saw some things she liked.
“A positive I saw today was we had three or four people that held their heads high even when we were down five runs,” said Nauman. “I feel like we lost a lot of fight, but I saw some players with their head in the right place.”
The matchup started in the second inning, due to severe weather on Wednesday suspended the game. The score was 4-4 at the end of one before a tornado watch delayed the game.
The top of the second inning ended with three quick pop-outs thanks to a quality seven-pitch inning from BG starter Jules Firsdon. The bottom of the inning was a drawn-out version of the top, with three Bobcats unable to get on base.
Firsdon surrendered her first hit of the day at the top of the third, as the speedy Cailyn Leol took advantage of an open left field and got on base. She added to an impressive third inning with two stolen bases and the fifth run of the game.
Northview starting pitcher Kaitlyn Eckel shined in the bottom of the third, as she added two strikeouts on her day to send three more Bobcats to the dugout.
The top of the fourth started with a Firsdon walk due to a wild pitch. A second questionable pitch turned into an easy stolen base for the Wildcats.
After a third poor pitch, Nauman discussed strategy with the Bobcat pitcher. The conversation would prove ineffective, however, as a deep ball from Brooklyn Reinbolt would put batters on second and third.
The Wildcats continued the offensive onslaught, scoring three runs before they suffered their first out of the inning. Northview went into the middle of the fourth inning with a 10-4 advantage.
Eckel suffered her first hit the day by the hands of Makenna Oates, as her ball down the middle resulted in a double. She would end up scoring the fifth run for the Bobcats.
The Bobcats were able to predict the pitches of Eckel in the bottom of the fourth, as they placed five batters on base. The inning ended with a 10-6 Northview advantage.
The top of the fifth BG introduced pitcher Zoe Zeims, and she would only allow one runner on base before securing the third out.
The Bobcats continued to give Eckel fits in the bottom of the fifth, but she pulled through and closed the inning with no runs allowed. BG left three runners on base.
After several foul balls, Cailyn Leool was able to launch a fastball down the middle to get on base to start the sixth. The next batter, Kallie Eckel, secured a single after an outfield error.
A single by Kennedy Onley turned into an RBI after a dropped ball on third base. After the top of the sixth, Northview led 11-6.
Bowling Green will travel to face Clay on Friday at 5 p.m. at the William P. Coontz Recreation Center in Oregon.
