Maggie Seidel (Lake Forest, Ill./Lake Forest H.S.) had two hits including an RBI but it was not enough for the Crusaders as Valparaiso fell to Bowling Green 5-1 on Monday afternoon at the Valparaiso University Softball Field.

Valpo had scoring threats in each of the first two innings, leaving runners in scoring position. The Falcons scored an unearned run in the third inning on an RBI single by Jeanine Baca, who went 4-for-4 on the afternoon.

Bowling Green (13-18) added three in the sixth, batting around and leaving the bases loaded. Allison Vallas drove home two runs and Kristen Anderson brought home the third with a pinch hit single. Baca tripled to lead off the seventh and scored on a sacrifice fly to put the Falcons in front 5-0.

The Crusaders started a rally with two outs in the seventh. Pinch-hitter Allison Whitesell (Fort Wayne, Ind./Northrup H.S.) was hit by the pitch and Stacy Adamski (Saint John, Ind./Lake Central H.S.) followed with a double to centerfield. Seidel then came through with her second hit of the game, lacing a single up the middle to plate Whitesell. Falcon hurler Emily Gouge got a foul out to end the game.

Gouge went the distance for the Falcons striking out five and allowing just five hits. Chris Halstead (Indianapolis, Ind./Cathedral H.S.) started for Valpo, pitching 3.2 innings while allowing just one unearned run and three hits. Brittany Atteberry (Schererville, Ind./Lake Central H.S.) and Andrea Zappia (Indianapolis, Ind./Franklin Central H.S.) followed in the circle for the Crusaders.

Valparaiso (1-23) will travel to DeKalb, Ill. on Tuesday for a 3 p.m. doubleheader with Northern Illinois before returning home on Wednesday for a 2 p.m. twinbill against South Dakota State.