The Valparaiso bats were on fire in the first game of the doubleheader as the Crusaders tallied 11 hits on their way to a 7-0 victory over IUPUI on Saturday afternoon at the Valparaiso University Softball Field. The Jaguars rallied in the sixth of game two though to take a 6-4 victory in the nightcap.

In the opener Valpo plated four runs in the first off of starter Liz Simmons. Tricia Speziale (Elmhurst, Ill./York H.S.) singled home Stephanie Reinke (Parker, Colo./J.K. Mullen H.S.). A throwing error allowed Speziale and Karen Constien (Carol Stream, Ill./Glenbard North H.S.). Corey Burns (Orland Park, Ill./Sandburg H.S.) plated the fourth run, an unearned one, on a fielder's choice.

Stacey Lear came on in the first in relief and silenced the Valpo bats until the sixth when they added three more. Reinke reached on an infield single and scored on a two-out double by Speziale. After Amanda Gilbertson (Murrieta, Calif./West Albany H.S., Ore.) walked, Tana Barnes (Washington, Ill./Washington H.S.) doubled to deep left-center to plate the final two runs.

Gilbertson went the distance to record the complete game shutout, scattering just six hits to improve to 5-7. The shutout was her second of the season. Speziale had three hits and Reinke added two for the Brown and Gold, while Brandy Moser-Salisbury had two hits for the Jaguars.

In the nightcap, Valpo jumped out in front in the first again. Speziale had an RBI double to score Kelly Silvey (Indianapolis, Ind./Bishop Chatard H.S.) and then scored on Gilbertson's single.

IUPUI cut the lead in half in the third as Moser-Salisbury scored an unearned run on a throwing error.

Valpo (6-18, 2-5 Mid-Con) added two more in the fourth as Bridget Schwoegler (Chesterton, Ind./Chesterton H.S.) doubled home Burns and Barnes to push the lead to 4-1, where it stayed until the sixth.

The Jaguars exploded for five runs in the frame, two unearned. Christie McFarland doubled home a run and Amanda Bowman singled to right to bring home a second run. Salisbury-Moser singled with the bases loaded to score two more and give IUPUI the lead and they added an insurance run on an infield single by Megan Crist.

Devan Craig went the distance to record the win for IUPUI (10-21, 2-6), allowing seven hits. Brittany Atteberry (Schererville, Ind./Lake Central H.S.) gave up five runs, three earned, in 5.1 innings, taking the loss for Valpo. Moser-Salisbury had three hits for the Jaguars, while Crist added two. Barnes had a pair of hits for Valpo in game two.

Valpo will return to the diamond on Tuesday afternoon to conclude their nine-game homestand with a doubleheader against IPFW. First pitch is slated for 2 p.m. at Valparaiso University Softball Field.