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2025 SFT Mack Gallagher action shot
7
Utah Valley UVU 8-6
10
Winner Valparaiso VALPO 6-6
Utah Valley UVU
8-6
7
Final
10
Valparaiso VALPO
6-6
Winner
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 R H E
Utah Valley UVU 1 0 3 1 2 0 0 7 10 0
Valparaiso VALPO 3 1 2 3 1 0 X 10 15 1

W: McDermott, Sydney (5-2) L: Ortega, Hannah (0-2) S: Lopez, Azalya (1)

Game Recap: Softball |

Bats Continue to Deliver in Win Over Utah Valley

The Valpo softball team's bats stayed hot Saturday at the UNLV Rebel Classic in Las Vegas, as the Beacons scored in double figures for the third time this season in a 10-7 win over Utah Valley. Marissa Jackson (Willis, Mich./Huron) had the first four-hit game of her career, while Mack Gallagher (Frankfort, Ill./Lincoln-Way East [MSU Moorhead]) reached base four times, scored three runs and tallied three RBIs.
 
How It Happened
  • Both squads hit a home run in the first inning, but Utah Valley's came with two out and nobody on, while the Beacons came courtesy of Gallagher, who went deep following back-to-back singles to lead off the frame from Madison Vrastil (Oak Forest, Ill./Andrew) and Jackson. The three-run blast gave Valpo an early 3-1 lead.
  • Back-to-back doubles in the second inning from Kayden Krug (Milford, Ohio/Mount Notre Dame) and Vrastil added a run to the Beacons' advantage, but that lead was erased in the top of the third by the Wolverines on a bases-clearing triple.
  • The tie score proved to be very short-lived, as Valpo loaded the bases with its first three batters of the bottom of the third. Azalya Lopez (Corona, Calif./Eleanor Roosevelt [MSU Moorhead]) followed with a walk to force home the go-ahead run, and Ava Goodman (San Diego, Calif./West Hills) made it a 6-4 game with an RBI groundout.
  • Utah Valley plated an unearned run in its half of the fourth, but Valpo came right back with a three-spot in its turn at the plate. The Beacons had the bases loaded with two outs before Jackson scampered home on a wild pitch, Goodman knocked an RBI single through the middle and Kim Rodas (San Bernardino, Calif./Cajon) took a 2-0 pitch the other way for an RBI base hit.
  • The Wolverines refused to go away, scoring two in the top of the fifth to cut the Beacons' edge to 9-7 and bringing the potential go-ahead run to the plate. Lopez took to the circle in relief and induced a fly-out to center to help Valpo retain the lead.
  • A bases-loaded RBI walk by Goodman in the bottom of the fifth capped the scoring, and Lopez took care of the rest with perfect sixth and seventh innings.
 
Inside the Game
  • Valpo scored in double figures for the third time this season, but for the first time since opening day.
  • The Beacons tallied 15 hits, their second-highest total of the year, and eight walks, the eighth time this season they have drawn at least six free passes.
  • Jackson led the way as she went 4-for-5 at the plate with two runs scored. The sophomore registered the first four-hit game of her collegiate career, a mark which is tied for second in a single game in program history.
  • Right behind her in the batting order was Gallagher, who ended the day 3-for-4 with a walk, three runs scored and three RBIs. The three hits and three runs scored were both the senior's best marks since arriving at Valpo, while the three RBIs is a season high.
  • Gallagher's home run was her eighth in a Valpo uniform and the 25th of her collegiate career.
  • Gallagher extended her season-opening on-base streak to 12 straight games and has now tallied a base hit in seven consecutive contests.
  • Hitting in front of Jackson and Gallagher, Vrastil recorded her sixth multi-hit game of the season as she went 2-for-4 with a walk, a run scored and an RBI.
  • Vrastil swiped a base as well, making her a perfect 11-for-11 on the basepaths in just 12 games this season and extending her career mark to 28-for-28.
  • Making her first collegiate start at DP, Goodman racked up three RBIs.
  • Rodas picked up a pair of hits at the plate and is now 6-for-13 on the weekend after going just 1-for-10 over the season's first two weekends.
  • Krug and Grace Hollopeter (Lake Village, Ind./North Newton [Purdue Fort Wayne]) each reached base three times by going 1-for-2 with two walks.
  • Sydney McDermott (Stout, Ohio/Portsmouth West) earned her fifth victory of the young season, improving to 5-2 with two innings of relief work. Lopez picked up her first save of the year and her fifth as a Beacon as she retired all seven batters she faced.
  • Saturday's win came over a Utah Valley team which defeated the Beacons 9-7 two days prior.
 
Next Up
Having already beaten one team it previously lost to this weekend, Valpo (6-6) looks to do the same on Sunday to cap the tournament, as the Beacons face off against Idaho State Sunday at 11:30 a.m. CT.
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