The Valpo softball team lifted the lid on its 2025 home schedule Friday afternoon at the Valpo Softball Complex, but a seven-run top of the first from visiting Southern Illinois proved too big a deficit to overcome as the Beacons fell in MVC action to the Salukis, 10-4.
 
How It Happened

• The Salukis sent 12 batters to the plate in the top of the first to jump out to a 7-0 lead. Valpo was actually one strike away from getting out of the frame down just 2-0, but Mikaela Coburn connected on a 3-run homer and SIU added two more runs later in the inning.
• The Beacons responded immediately in their first turn at the plate. Marissa Jackson (Willis, Mich./Huron) reached on an infield single with one out and Mack Gallagher (Frankfort, Ill./Lincoln-Way East [MSU Moorhead]) drew a walk behind her to put two on base for Azalya Lopez (Corona, Calif./Eleanor Roosevelt [MSU Moorhead]). The junior worked a full count and then drilled the 3-2 pitch over the fence in left-center to bring Valpo within 7-3.
• Valpo had an opportunity to cut further into the deficit as the inning continued, with a two-out double from Kim Rodas (San Bernardino, Calif./Cajon) putting two runners into scoring position. But a groundout ended the frame, holding the Beacons to the three runs.
• For as much offense as the opening inning featured, the next few frames were diametrically opposed to the first. A one-out double for SIU in the top of the third was the only baserunner for either team from the second through the fourth inning, as the pitchers and defense settled in. Jackson made a diving catch in center field on a shallow line drive to close out a 1-2-3 top of the fourth.
• A one-out walk in the top of the fifth was erased on the back half of a strike 'em out, throw 'em out double play as Madison Vrastil (Oak Forest, Ill./Andrew) cut the runner down trying to steal.
• The Beacons put together a mini two-out rally in the fifth as a single from Jackson and a walk by Gallagher put two on before a grounder ended the inning.
• Valpo's best chance at cutting further into the deficit came in the bottom of the sixth. The Beacons loaded the bases on a trio of singles from Lexi Szostak (Roselle, Ill./Lake Park), Rodas and Sophia Leitzen (Orfordville, Wis./Brodhead), and following an SIU pitching chance, a grounder off the bat of Kayden Krug (Milford, Ohio/Mount Notre Dame) was misplayed by the Saluki shortstop, allowing all runners to advance safely, making it a 7-4 game and bringing the potential go-ahead run to the plate with just one out. Back-to-back strikeouts kept the Beacons from adding to their ledger, however.
• Consecutive homers for SIU in the top of the seventh pushed the Salukis' lead to 10-4. Valpo got two runners on base in its last turn at the plate, but was unable to put together a comeback.

 
Inside the Game

• Friday's game, played on March 21, is tied for the third-earliest home opener in program history by calendar date and is Valpo's earliest home debut since 2015.
• Lopez's home run was her first as a Beacon. She previously went deep twice in her two seasons at MSU Moorhead.
• Lopez's three RBIs matched her season high as well.
• Jackson and Rodas both posted multi-hit games, for both players their respective third-such game of the season.
• Jackson was kept busy in center field as well, recording a season-high seven putouts.
• Lopez took the loss for the Beacons in the circle, falling to 6-6 as she started and was unable to get out of the first inning.
• Erin Metz (Wheaton, Ill./Wheaton North) did some strong work in relief, throwing five consecutive shutout innings after surrendering a pair of tallies in the first.
• Caitlyn Quickle (Leesburg, Ohio/Fairfield Local) made her fourth relief appearance of the season and her first without allowing a run, as she tallied a trio of outs in the seventh.
• Vrastil did not reach base on Friday, snapping her 22-game on-base streak to start her collegiate career. It also broke the freshman's 13-game hitting streak.

 
Next Up
Valpo (12-11, 1-2 MVC) will attempt to play a doubleheader with SIU on Saturday afternoon to conclude the three-game MVC series. First pitch of game one is slated for 2 p.m.