Oakland proved to be too much for the Valparaiso University softball team to handle Saturday on a cold, rainy afternoon at the Valpo Softball Complex, as the Crusaders lost the series finale to the Golden Grizzlies by a 12-2 final.

How It Happened

• Both teams put two runners in scoring position with two outs in the first without scoring, but Oakland busted through in a big way in the second. The Golden Grizzlies took advantage of four walks and got three run-scoring hits – capped by a bases-clearing triple from Kelsie Swanson – to take a 7-0 lead.
• The Crusaders had a golden opportunity to really cut into the deficit in the bottom of the second, loading the bases with nobody out with a pair of singles and a walk. But they could score just one run, on a bases-loaded walk from Carly Trepanier (Manteno, Ill./Manteno).
• Junior Stephanie Moreno (Murrieta, Calif./Murrieta Valley) singled with one out in the third and came around to score on an Oakland error to make it a 7-2 game.
• The Golden Grizzlies secured the run-rule decision with four runs in the fourth and a Jamie Squires homer in the fifth.

Inside the Game

• The run-rule loss was just the Crusaders ‘second of the season and their first since March 17 against Creighton.
• Junior Lanie Callaghan (Elburn, Ill./Kaneland) went a perfect 3-for-3 at the plate on Saturday, picking up three of the Crusaders’ five hits.
• Valpo left eight runners on base over the five innings and was just 1-for-9 with runners in scoring position, versus a 6-for-11 performance by Oakland. Over the series’ three games, the Crusaders were just 3-for-31 with runners in scoring position.
• Junior Kenzie Grossmann (Perry, Mo./Mark Twain [Morehead State]) started for the third straight game and took the loss, falling to 17-10.

Next Up

The Crusaders (24-21, 11-10 Horizon) close out the regular season with a three-game set against Wright State next weekend, starting with a single game Friday at 1 p.m.