Mack Gallagher (Frankfort, Ill./Lincoln-Way East [MSU Moorhead]) got the Valpo softball team off to a strong start in its midweek matchup at Indiana Wednesday with a first-inning home run, but the Hoosiers' offense — ranked among the top-10 nationally — took over from there as the hosts eventually earned a 14-1 win.
How It Happened
- Gallagher connected on a two-out solo homer, driving a 2-2 pitch over the wall in left center to give the Beacons the lead.
- Indiana jumped in front with a three-run homer in the bottom of the first.
- Valpo put two runners on with nobody out in the second, as Kim Rodas (San Bernardino, Calif./Cajon) and Cadan Brinkman (Bloomington, Ill./Normal Community [Campbell/Wofford]) connected on back-to-back first-pitch singles to lead off the frame, but the Beacons were unable to take advantage and add to their score.
- The Hoosiers scored four runs in the second, one in the third and six in the fourth to cap the scoring.
Inside the Game
- Gallagher's home run was her 10th of the season, tied for seventh-most in a single season in program history and the most by a Valpo player since 2018.
- The senior also picked up her 40th RBI of the year with her four-bagger, tied for eighth-most in a season in program history and the most by a Valpo player since 2017.
- Rodas and Brinkman accounted for the Beacons' other base hits.
- Grace Hollopeter (Lake Village, Ind./North Newton [Purdue Fort Wayne]), Rodas and Gallagher combined to turn a 4-6-3 double play to end the bottom of the second, the 15th double play Valpo has turned this season.
- All four healthy Valpo pitchers saw action Wednesday, with Caitlyn Quickle (Leesburg, Ohio/Fairfield Local) starting and taking the loss as she fell to 2-6 on the season.
Next Up
Valpo (17-28) returns home to the Valpo Softball Complex for its final home games of the season this weekend as the Beacons host Bradley. Valpo Athletics social media and ValpoAthletics.com will have any schedule changes due to weather.
