The Valparaiso University softball team rallied from a two-run deficit to tie Wednesday’s MVC game with Loyola at the Valpo Softball Complex at 2-2 through four innings, but the Ramblers reclaimed the lead in their next turn at-bat as Valpo eventually fell by a 5-2 final.

How It Happened

• Loyola jumped on top in the top of the first with a two-out RBI single, and then scored a second run in the top of the third thanks to a trio of singles.
• After getting just one runner on base through the first three innings, the Valpo offense started to roll in the fourth. Senior Carly Trepanier (Manteno, Ill./Manteno) led off the inning by drawing a four-pitch walk, and then freshman Taylor Herschbach (Lockport, Ill./Lockport Township) and sophomore Brittany Anderson (East Chicago, Ind./Bishop Noll) dropped down consecutive bunt singles to load the bases with nobody out.
• Two batters later, junior Hannah Dybalski (Lebanon, Ind./Lebanon) knocked the first pitch she saw the other way for a two-run single, as Trepanier and Herschbach scored to tie the game at 2-2. Valpo would actually load the bases with just one out and the go-ahead run on third, but couldn’t take the lead.
• The Ramblers retook the lead in the top of the fifth, however, on another two-out RBI single. Center fielder Peyton Moeder (Shawnee, Kan./Mill Valley) nearly prevented the run from scoring, as she nailed the trail runner trying to advance to third, but the go-ahead run crossed home plate just before the third out was recorded.
• Valpo attempted to put together a two-out rally in its half of the fifth, as Herschbach walked and Anderson singled to put a pair of runners on. But a sharp line-out would end the threat.
• Loyola added its final two runs in the top of the seventh on a Valpo error. Trepanier reached in Valpo’s last turn at the plate on a two-out single, but the Crusaders were unable to get the potential tying run up to bat.

Inside the Game

• With her run in the fourth inning, Trepanier moved into a tie for 10th in program history with 98 career runs scored.
• Trepanier extended her current hitting streak to six straight games with her seventh-inning single. She also has reached base in seven consecutive games as well.
• Trepanier was one of three Crusaders to reach base multiple times Wednesday, as Anderson picked up her fourth multi-hit game of the year and Herschbach finished the day with a base hit and a walk as well.
• Moeder saw her seven-game on-base streak come to an end Wednesday.

Next Up

Valpo (15-24, 4-16 MVC) hits the road for the final time in MVC play this weekend when it heads to Evansville. The three-game series begins with a Saturday doubleheader at noon, and all three games can be seen live on ESPN3.