Wednesday, March 09, 2005

Valparaiso's offense continued to struggle on Wednesday afternoon as the Crusaders dropped a doubleheader to Wichita State 9-0 and 9-0 in Wichita, Kan.

The Crusaders managed just three hits in the two games, as the Shockers' Margo Pruis threw a perfect game in the nightcap.

In game one, a four-run second and a four-run fourth hurt the Crusaders. Katie McGeeney hit a two-run homer for Wichita State and Stephanie De La Riva added a solo shot. The four runs in the fourth were all unearned, as Valpo committed a pair of errors in the game.

Chris Halstead (Indianapolis, Ind./Cathedral H.S.) started and suffered the loss for the Crusaders, allowing four hits and five runs in two innings of work. Lindsay Craig picked up the win for the Shockers, striking out three and allowing just three hits.

Shannon Robinson (Toronto, Ont./John Redmond H.S.) went 2-for-2 for the Crusaders.

Game two saw Pruis control the game. She struck out nine in the five innings, while not allowing a Crusader to reach base. Offensively, Wichita State (11-6) pounded out 13 hits, scoring twice in the second, third, and fifth, while adding three in the fourth. Brooke Usher drove home four runs with a pair of doubles, while Ashley Lynn added a two-run homer.

Andrea Zappia (Indianapolis, Ind./Franklin Central H.S.) suffered the loss for the Crusaders, allowing ten hits and six runs in three innings of work.

Valparaiso (0-6) will head to Norman, Okla. on Thursday for a 4 p.m. doubleheader against #12 Oklahoma.