Junior Hannah Dybalski (Lebanon, Ind./Lebanon)  connected on her second home run of the week on Sunday afternoon in Valpo’s series finale against Drake, but it wouldn’t be enough as the Bulldogs earned a 14-3 win to complete the series sweep.

How It Happened

• Drake jumped out to a big early lead, plating six runs on five hits in the top of the first. The big blow in the inning was a three-run homer from Laura Anderson.
• Valpo had its best scoring chance of the series to that point in the bottom of the third, thanks to freshman Jaina Westphal (Waterford, Wis./Burlington). Westphal laid down a one-out bunt single and then stole second before advancing to third on a groundout. But the freshman would end the inning 60 feet from home.
• The Bulldogs added a run to their lead in the top of the fourth on a Sarah Maddox RBI single, making it a 7-0 game.
• Valpo would cut the lead to 7-3 in the bottom of the frame, however. Sophomores Brittany Anderson (East Chicago, Ind./Bishop Noll) and Ashley Barker (Coal Valley, Ill./Moline) drew consecutive walks to lead off the inning. Two batters later, Dybalski stepped in and drove a 1-1 pitch down the left-field line which stayed fair and cleared the fence for a three-run shot.
• The Crusaders would threaten in the fifth as well. Senior Carly Trepanier (Manteno, Ill./Manteno) watched four straight balls go by to lead off the inning with a walk and prompt a Drake pitching change. Two batters later, Anderson worked a walk of her own to put two on with one out. But Drake pitcher Nicole Newman would strike out the next two hitters to escape the jam.
• Drake scored one run in the sixth and six runs in the seventh to complete the scoring.

Inside the Game

• After going the first 71 games of her career without a homer, Dybalski has now left the yard twice in a five-day stretch. Her three RBIs on Sunday also were a career high.
• Eight Valpo batters reached base on Sunday after the Crusaders saw just four players total reach over Saturday’s pair of games. Valpo’s patience at the plate led to six walks, three of which were drawn by Anderson – a career high and matching a Valpo season best.
• Westphal’s stolen base was her 11th in 12 attempts this season. The freshman now ranks eighth in the Valley in steals this year.
• Junior Jenna Edwards (Winchester, Ky./George Rogers Clark [Chattanooga State C.C.]) took the loss on Sunday , starting and throwing a total of five innings.

Next Up

Valpo (12-17, 2-9 MVC) continues conference play with a midweek doubleheader at Loyola on Wednesday. First pitch of the opener is slated for 2 p.m. from Rogers Park, and both games will be broadcast live on ESPN+.