Valparaiso rallied from a 2-0 deficit to win the opener of a doubleheader 4-2 over IUPUI on Friday afternoon, but saw the Jaguars mount a comeback of their own in the nightcap to down the Crusaders 5-4 at the Valparaiso University Softball Field.

In the opener IUPUI posted runs in the top of the first as Megan Crist drove home two, one unearned with a double. The Crusaders responded in the bottom of the inning with one of their own as Stephanie Reinke (Parker, Colo./J.K. Mullen H.S.) tripled and scored on a fielder's choice.

Valpo took the lead with two in the fourth as Tana Barnes (Washington, Ill./Washington H.S.) singled home Tricia Speziale (Elmhurst, Ill./York H.S.) to tie the game. Barnes then scored on an infield single by Monica Rowan (Evergreen Park, Ill./Evergreen Park H.S.).

The Crusaders added an insurance run in the fifth on an RBI ground out by Speziale to plate Reinke.

The lead was all Amanda Gilbertson (Murrieta, Calif./West Albany H.S., Ore.) needed as she scattered just five hits in the complete game victory. The junior did not walk anyone and struck out two, needing just 70 pitches to improve to 4-7 on the season. Devan Craig took the loss for the Jaguars, allowing nine hits while striking out two. Reinke and Rowan both had two hits for the Brown and Gold in the opener.

In the nightcap, IUPUI jumped out in front in the first again, scoring three runs. Barbara Ware singled up the middle to score Brandy Moser-Salisbury with the first run. A throwing error then allowed Crist to score after she walked and Ware eventually scored on a Christie McFarland single.

Valpo came back with two runs in the third as Barnes tripled to left center to score Speziale and Laurie Grabiak (Saint Louis, Mo./Parkway North H.S.) with two outs.

The Crusaders tied the game in the fifth as Reinke scored on a wild pitch aand then took the lead on a Kelly Silvey (Indianapolis, Ind./Bishop Chatard H.S.) run scoring single in the sixth.

IUPUI (9-20, 1-5 Mid-Con) rallied for two unearned runs in the seventh though, to pull out the victory with two outs. Ware singled to right center to plate Jennifer Owens and Moser-Salisbury with the winning runs.

Stacey Lear picked up the win for the Jaguars in relief of Amy Odinsoff, allowing just one hit in the final 1.1 innings. Brittany Atteberry (Schererville, Ind./Lake Central H.S.) suffered the loss for Valpo (5-17, 1-4), despite allowing just two earned runs. Reinke again had two hits for the Brown and Gold, as did Speziale, while Moser-Salisbury had three hits for IUPUI. Ware and McFarland each added a pair of hits in the nightcap.

Valpo and IUPUI will conclude their weekend series on Saturday afternoon with a noon doubleheader at the Valparaiso University Softball Field.