The Valpo softball team dropped a pair of two-run decisions in MVC play to visiting Evansville Friday afternoon at the Valpo Softball Complex, falling 7-5 in the opener before succumbing in extra innings in the nightcap, 6-4.
 
How It Happened – Game One

• After falling behind in the first inning of all three of their Valley games last weekend, it was the Beacons with the first punch Friday against the Purple Aces. Madison Vrastil (Oak Forest, Ill./Andrew) reached on an error to lead off the bottom of the first and eventually came around to score, sliding in ahead of a tag on a squeeze bunt from Azalya Lopez (Corona, Calif./Eleanor Roosevelt [MSU Moorhead]).
• Evansville came back with a three-run top of the second, but Valpo responded with a pair of runs in its half at the plate to knot up the score, 3-3. Kim Rodas (San Bernardino, Calif./Cajon) and Sophia Leitzen (Orfordville, Wis./Brodhead) drew back-to-back walks to start the frame, and both scored on a two-out single from Marissa Jackson (Willis, Mich./Huron).
• The Purple Aces scored single runs in the third and fifth innings to pull in front, and then added two more in the sixth to push their edge to 7-3.
• Leitzen knocked a run off the deficit with a solo homer on an 0-2 pitch in the sixth.
• Valpo got the tying run to the plate in the seventh, as Carson Kuhlmann (Grand Blanc, Mich./Grand Blanc) and Mack Gallagher (Frankfort, Ill./Lincoln-Way East [MSU Moorhead]) opened the inning with back-to-back singles. But the Beacons were able to score just once, as a double play on the sacrifice fly which scored Kuhlmann closed out the game in Evansville's favor.

 
How It Happened – Game Two

• Evansville scored two runs without the benefit of a hit in the top of the first, taking advantage of four walks and a hit batter.
• The Beacons had a strong opportunity to get on the board in the second, but were unable to take advantage of having the bases loaded with one out.
• The Purple Aces scored an unearned run in the third to push their lead to 3-0.
• Valpo got two runs back with a two-out rally in the bottom of the fifth. Vrastil knocked a single back up the middle, followed by walks by Jackson and Gallagher to load the bases. Lopez stepped up and delivered a single back through the circle, scoring the two lead runners to make it a 3-2 game.
• Evansville added what proved to be a key insurance run in the sixth, pushing across a tally on a two-out error by the Beacons.
• Jackson singled with one out and Gallagher followed with a walk in the bottom of the seventh to put the tying runs on base. A wild pitch moved both Jackson and pinch-runner Lana Tellez (Chino Hills, Calif./Chino Hills) into scoring position, and Lopez came through with another clutch hit, knocking a single into right-center to score both runners, tying the game and forcing extra innings.
• Evansville needed just one extra frame to close out the game, getting consecutive two-out extra-base hits to score a pair of runs before retiring the Beacons in order in the bottom of the inning.

 
Inside the Games

• The eight-inning loss in the nightcap was Valpo's second extra-inning defeat in the last three days, as the Beacons dropped an eight-inning affair in nonconference action Wednesday at DePaul. Valpo had won its only two extra-inning games of the season entering the week.
• Valpo was limited to four hits in the opener, but drew five walks as well and took advantage of three Evansville errors.
• Gallagher (hit, walk), Leitzen (hit, walk) and Lopez (two walks) all reached base twice in the opener.
• Leitzen's home run was the first of the freshman's collegiate career.
• Jackson doubled her season RBI total with her two-run single in the second inning of the opener.
• Sydney McDermott (Stout, Ohio/Portsmouth West) took the loss in the opener in a five-inning stint in relief, falling to 4-5 on the year.
• Lopez stood out at the plate in the nightcap, going 3-for-4 with four RBIs. The three hits matched her season high, while the four RBIs ties a season high by any Valpo player.
• Vrastil picked up two hits out of the leadoff spot in the nightcap, the 13^th multi-hit game for the freshman.
• Jackson reached twice on a hit and a walk in the nightcap and scored a pair of runs, while Gallagher reached twice with a pair of free passes as well.
• Lopez started at pitcher in the second game of the day and took the loss after re-entering the circle in the late innings, falling to 6-9 this season.
• The Valpo defense turned three double plays on the day — a 6-3 grounder in game one, a 1-2-3 grounder in game two and a 5-3 on a popped-up bunt in game two.

 
Next Up
Valpo (12-16, 1-6 MVC) closes out the three-game set with Evansville at the Valpo Softball Complex on Saturday with a noon first pitch.