The Valparaiso University softball team dropped its series opener against Detroit at home on Friday afternoon, falling 9-2.

The Titans scored four times in the top of the first inning despite picking up just three base hits. Detroit then matched that output in the third inning, pushing four more runs across the plate – including three on a homer from Savvy Ferstle.

The Crusaders looked to cut into the deficit in the bottom of the third, loading the bases with one out on a single, a Detroit error and a walk, but a pop-up and a line-out ended the threat. Valpo would crack the scoreboard in the fourth, as Sierra Pico (Las Vegas, Nev./Legacy) led off the inning with a single, moved up to second on a Detroit error and scored on a base hit back through the middle by Sam Stewart (Frankfort, Ill./Lincoln-Way East).

A subsequent walk loaded the bases with no outs for Valpo, but the Crusaders could push only one more run across – that coming on an RBI groundout from Carly Trepanier (Manteno, Ill./Manteno). The Titans scored their final run in the top of the sixth to close out the scoring.

Mollie Lindeman (Hebron, Ind./Hebron [PNC]) took the loss for the Crusaders, falling to 4-8 as she started and threw the first 2.1 innings. Ashlyn Montgomery (Lebanon, Ind./Lebanon) was solid in relief, surrendering just one earned run in 4.2 innings of work. Alexis Robison-Kohrs picked up the win for Detroit (14-32, 6-10 Horizon), improving to 4-7 as she tossed five-plus innings.

Valparaiso (9-28, 4-10 Horizon) looks to get back on the winning track as it closes out the three-game set with the Titans in a doubleheader on Saturday. First pitch of game one is slated for noon, and all the action can be seen live on ESPN3. Links for the live video, as well as live stats, will be available at ValpoAthletics.com.