The Valparaiso University softball team dropped a mid-week Missouri Valley Conference doubleheader in Chicago on Tuesday evening, falling to Loyola by final scores of 4-2 and 9-1.

How It Happened – Game One

• It took Valpo just three batters into the opener to jump on top of the Ramblers. Senior Carly Trepanier (Manteno, Ill./Manteno) led off the game with a walk, stole second and eventually came home on a single into center from fellow senior Jaymee Lawton (Goodyear, Ariz./Desert Edge [Utah Valley]).
• Loyola responded with a two-out RBI single in its half of the first to even the score at 1-1.
• Valpo had a golden opportunity to regain the lead in the top of the third, as a Trepanier walk and a base hit from freshman Taylor Herschbach (Lockport, Ill./Lockport Township) put two runners in scoring position with only one out. But a strikeout and a foul popup ended that threat.
• Valpo would reclaim the advantage in the top of the fifth thanks to the wheels of freshman Jaina Westphal (Waterford, Wis./Burlington). Westphal led off the inning with a single, and then on a sacrifice bunt, the rookie raced all the way around to third base as the bag was unattended. Trepanier then delivered a fly ball to medium-deep left field, more than enough to allow Westphal to come home on the sacrifice fly and give the Crusaders a 2-1 lead.
• The lead would be short-lived, however, as Loyola scored three runs on four hits in its half of the fifth to go ahead 4-2.
• Valpo got a leadoff single from freshman Peyton Moeder (Shawnee, Kan./Mill Valley) in the seventh to bring the potential tying run to the plate, but a hard liner back up the middle was snagged by Loyola pitcher Kiley Jones and turned into a double play.

How It Happened – Game Two

• For the second straight game, Valpo took an early 1-0 lead. This advantage came courtesy of sophomore Brittany Anderson (East Chicago, Ind./Bishop Noll), who lined an 0-1 pitch over the wall down the left-field line for a leadoff homer in the second.
• Loyola answered immediately, scoring a run without the benefit of a hit in the bottom of the second inning to tie the game at 1-1.
• The Ramblers then plated four runs apiece in the third and fourth innings for the final margin.

Inside the Games

• Wednesday’s doubleheader marked the 66th and 67th games in the all-time series between Valpo and Loyola. The Ramblers are the second-most common opponent in Valpo program history, behind only fellow Second City program UIC.
• Anderson’s home run in the nightcap was her third of the season, tying her for second on the team, and the fourth of her career.
• Trepanier finished the opener with a 0-for-0 batting line, drawing a pair of walks and recording a sac fly. Her double in the nightcap was the 181st hit of her career, tying her for seventh in program history, just one back of sixth place.
• Herschbach picked up a pair of base hits in the opener, joining Trepanier in reaching base twice in that game.

Next Up

Valpo (12-19, 2-11 MVC) continues conference play this weekend with a three-game series at UNI. The series opens with a noon doubleheader on Saturday from Cedar Falls, Iowa.