Wednesday, April 07, 2004

Valparaiso went on the road and split a doubleheader on Wednesday afternoon at St. Joseph's, dropping the opener 2-1 before rebounding for a 3-1 victory in the nightcap in Rensselaer, Ind.

In the opener, Valpo scored in the opening inning as Stephanie Reinke (Parker, Colo./J.K. Mullen H.S.) singled, moved to second on a passed ball and scored on a Taylor Callahan (Grayson, Ga./Greater Atlanta Christian H.S.) single.

St. Joseph's tied the game in the third and scored the winning run in the bottom of the seventh on a pinch hit single by Jen Willig.

Amanda Gilbertson (Murrieta, Calif./West Albany H.S., Ore.) allowed just four hits and one earned run for the Crusaders in the opener while striking out two. Ashley Heatwole recorded the win for the Pumas, striking out five in the complete game effort. Reinke and Callahan each had two hits for Valpo.

In the nightcap, Valpo scored twice in the top of the fourth. Monica Rowan (Evergreen Park, Ill./Evergreen Park H.S.) hit a sacrifice fly and Amy Mitchell (Star, Idaho/Eagle H.S.) scored on an error.

The Crusaders added a run in the sixth on back-to-back doubles by Karen Constien (Carol Stream, Ill./Glenbard North H.S.) and Tricia Speziale (Elmhurst, Ill./York H.S.).

The Pumas scored their lone run in the seventh against Brittany Atteberry (Schererville, Ind./Lake Central H.S.), who went the distance allowing just three hits to register the win for Valpo.

Willig took the loss for St. Joe's (10-22).

Valparaiso (9-15) will open a four-game weekend series with Oakland beginning with a doubleheader on Friday. First pitch is set for 1:30 p.m. at the Valparaiso University Softball Field.