Valparaiso dropped the opener Friday to IUPUI in Valparaiso, Ind., 7-3, but bounced back for a 6-3 win in the nightcap to split the Mid-Con doubleheader. Beth Adamski (Saint John, Ind./Lake Central) registered her 965th career putout late in game one, becoming Valpo's career leader in the category.

Adamski forced out the Jaguars' Jenna Crockett with one out in the seventh inning of the opener for the record-breaking putout. On the day, the four-year starter at first base tallied 12 putouts, giving her 971 for her career.

Unfortunately for the Crusaders, Adamski's record-breaker came one batter after IUPUI's Keshia Loweth hit a three-run homer to put the game out of reach. The Jaguars led entering the final frame on the back of four second-inning runs, three of which came courtesy of Cassie Harvey's first career home run.

Valpo clawed its way back into the contest in the fifth inning, putting three runs on the board. Ashley Wolter (Denver, Iowa/Denver) led off the inning with a walk and scored on Taylor Callahan's (Pendergrass, Ga./Greater Atlanta Christian) double.

A Karen Korb (Indianapolis, Ind./Lutheran North) double moved Callahan over to third and set up Shannon Robinson (Toronto, Ontario/John Redmond) for a 2-RBI single to bring Valpo back to within one with no outs in the inning. But the Crusaders could not push any more runs across in the frame, and Valpo went down in order in each of the final two innings.

Chris Halstead (Indianapolis, Ind./Cathedral) took the loss for the Crusaders, falling to 6-1 on the season. Halstead threw the first 1 2/3 innings, allowing seven hits and four runs. Breanna Howell improved to 5-8 with the complete-game victory for IUPUI.

In the nightcap, IUPUI put up two runs on Valpo starter Andrea Zappia (Indianapolis, Ind./Franklin Central) in the top of the first, but the Crusaders responded immediately with a two-spot in the bottom of the inning thanks to RBI singles from Megan Carroll (Eaton Rapids, Mich./Eaton Rapids) and Whitney Warner (Greenwood, Ind./Center Grove). Valpo took the lead for good in the fourth inning, receiving RBI singles from Alicia Ashburn (Mishawaka, Ind./Mishawaka) and Wolter to take a 4-2 lead.

Valpo added two insurance tallies in the next inning as Carroll and Warner drove in runs. Those runs would prove big in the top of the final inning, as IUPUI loaded the bases with one out and had the tying run up to the plate. But Stephanie Kelly (Plainfield, Ill./Plainfield) induced a fly-out and a ground-out to end the game.

Kelly tossed the final six innings for the Crusaders, allowing six hits and one run while striking out six to move to 7-4 on the season. Howell received the loss for IUPUI (8-20, 1-4 Mid-Con), falling to 6-8.

Adamski, Callahan and Korb each tallied three base hits over the doubleheader for the Crusaders, with all three of Callahan's hits being doubles. Callahan and Korb each also scored two runs on the day, while four other Crusaders crossed the plate.

Valparaiso (18-10, 5-3 Mid-Con) will close out the three-game set with IUPUI on Saturday at the Valparaiso University Softball Field. First pitch of the single game is slated for noon.