The Valpo softball team scored a pair of sixth-inning runs and had the potential tying run in scoring position with one out in that frame, but was unable to complete the comeback, falling 4-2 in its series opener at Belmont Thursday evening in Nashville, Tenn.
 
How It Happened

• Belmont opened the scoring in the bottom of the second with a two-out RBI double and added another tally with back-to-back hits to open the third.
• The Bruins added two more runs in the fourth, one of the unearned variety, to push their lead to 4-0.
• Valpo put together a sixth-inning rally to get back into the game. Kyndal Shively (Bloomington, Ill./University) opened the inning with an opposite-field single, and two batters later, Marissa Jackson (Willis, Mich./Huron) won a 13-pitch battle with a single to right to put two runners on with one out.
• Mack Gallagher (Frankfort, Ill./Lincoln-Way East [MSU Moorhead]) kept the line moving by dropping a 2-2 pitch into right-center for an RBI single, plating Shively. Azalya Lopez (Corona, Calif./Eleanor Roosevelt [MSU Moorhead]) followed by lining a single into center, scoring Jackson to make it a 4-2 game.
• Kayden Krug (Milford, Ohio/Mount Notre Dame) pushed the potential tying run into scoring position with one out by working a full-count walk, loading the bases. Back-to-back strikeouts ended the threat.
• Sydney McDermott (Stout, Ohio/Portsmouth West) threw her second consecutive perfect inning to keep it a two-run game, but the Beacons were unable to get a runner on in the seventh as Belmont closed out the win.

 
Inside the Game

• Facing one of the nation's most prolific pitchers on Thursday in Maya Johnson, the Beacons recorded seven hits — tied for second-most allowed by Johnson in an appearance this season.
• Johnson also entered the game far and away the nation's leader in strikeouts with 261 in 144.1 innings of work. Valpo batters struck out 10 times Thursday, tied for second-fewest in her 18 appearances of at least six innings this year.
• Jackson went 2-for-3 with a run scored out of the second spot in the Valpo order, her seventh multi-hit game of the year — tied for second-most on the team.
• Kim Rodas (San Bernardino, Calif./Cajon) went 2-for-3 at the plate as well with a double for her fourth multi-hit game of the season.
• Shively's sixth-inning hit was the first of her collegiate career.
• Gallagher and Lopez each hit round numbers in the RBI department with their respective run-scoring hits Thursday, as Gallagher owns a team-best 30 RBIs this season and Lopez has driven in 20.
• Gallagher's 30 RBIs are tied for eighth among MVC players.
• Erin Metz (Wheaton, Ill./Wheaton North) started in the circle and took the loss despite matching her season high with seven strikeouts in 3.1 innings of work.
• McDermott threw 2.2 innings of relief and did not allow an earned run.

 
Next Up
Valpo (17-23, 6-12) continues the Easter weekend series at Belmont with a game Friday afternoon at 3:30 p.m.