The Valpo softball team twice overcame three-run deficits against Saint Louis Saturday in its finale at the Skyhawk Invitational in Martin, Tenn., the second time taking the lead in the bottom of the sixth, but the Billikens responded in the seventh to earn the 9-7 win.
 
How It Happened

• The Billikens opened the scoring in the first with a sacrifice fly and added to their lead with a two-run homer in the third.
• Valpo evened the game in the bottom of the fourth, scoring three runs without the benefit of a hit. A pair of walks to lead off the inning, two SLU errors and a squeeze bunt from Lana Tellez (Chino Hills, Calif./Chino Hills) resulted in a brand-new ballgame with three innings to play.
• Saint Louis got the three runs back in the top of the fifth thanks to three hits, two walks and a hit batter to reclaim the advantage, 6-3.
• The Beacons took their first lead of the game in the bottom of the sixth as four runs came across the plate. Grace Hollopeter (Lake Village, Ind./North Newton [Purdue Fort Wayne]) delivered a two-run single to make it a one-run game, Mack Gallagher (Frankfort, Ill./Lincoln-Way East [MSU Moorhead]) drew a bases-loaded walk to tie the game and pinch-runner Lillian Martinez (Hemlock, Mich./Hemlock) scampered home on a wild pitch to make it 7-6 Valpo.
• But the lead proved to be short-lived, as the Billikens had four of their first five batters reach in the top of the seventh, scoring three runs. Valpo got the potential tying run to the plate in its final turn at the plate, but was unable to come up with a third rally.

 
Inside the Game

• Gallagher reached base in all four of her plate appearances, going 1-for-1 with three walks as she extended her on-base streak to seven straight games. The three walks matched her career high and pushed her season total to 11 free passes.
• Led by Gallagher, the Beacons drew eight walks on Saturday — already the fifth time this season they have earned at least eight free passes.
• Madison Vrastil (Oak Forest, Ill./Andrew) drew a pair of walks and stole two bases, improving to 6-for-6 on stolen bases this year and 23-for-23 for her career.
• Marissa Jackson (Willis, Mich./Huron) extended her hitting streak to seven games as she went 2-for-4 with two runs scored — her third multi-hit and second multi-run game of the year.
• Kaia Garnica (Plainfield, Ill./Plainfield Central) joined Gallagher in extending her on-base streak to seven games.
• Addie Young (Delaware, Ohio/Olentangy Berlin) also stole two bases on Saturday.
• Azalya Lopez (Corona, Calif./Eleanor Roosevelt [MSU Moorhead]) took the loss in the circle as she fell to 1-1 on the season. Sydney McDermott (Stout, Ohio/Portsmouth West) threw two shutout innings in relief.

 
Next Up
Valpo (4-3) heads out west for the UNLV Rebel Classic next week. The Beacons will play six games over four days, starting with matchups against Utah Valley and UNLV Thursday.