Monica Rowan (Evergreen Park, Ill./Evergreen Park H.S.) and Amanda Gilbertson (Murrieta, Calif./West Albany H.S., Ore.) each drove home two runs in the opener as Valparaiso earned a doubleheader split with UMKC on Friday evening in Independence, Mo. The Crusaders won game one 5-4 before falling 8-0 in the nightcap.

The Crusaders got on the scoreboard in the opening inning against the Kangaroos. Rowan singled to centerfield to plate Karen Constien (Carol Stream, Ill./Glenbard North H.S.) and Laurie Grabiak (Saint Louis, Mo./Parkway North H.S.).

UMKC answered with a run in the second after a pair of doubles, but the Crusaders added three more runs in the third. Gilbertson singled to right to plate Grabiak and Stephanie Reinke (Parker, Colo./J.K. Mullen H.S.) with two outs. Tana Barnes (Washington, Ill./Washington H.S.) then drove home the fifth run with a single to left.

The Kangaroos again cut into the lead in the bottom of the inning scoring two runs on a double, triple, and ground out, and added a fourth run in the fifth with three singles.

The Crusaders hung on for the victory though, as Gilbertson went the distance in the circle, striking out one and walking just one for her sixth victory of the season. The junior also helped her own cause with two hits, along with two more from Barnes to pace the ten-hit attack.

Kari Thurman suffered the loss for UMKC, striking out five and walking two.

In the nightcap, Lindsey Davis stiffled Valpo hitters, allowing a lone single to Constien with two outs in the first for the only hit of the game while striking out seven.

UMKC (11-27, 6-4 Mid-Con) scored two runs in the opening inning, added one in the second, and five in the third. Four of the eight runs were unearned as the Crusaders committed four errors in the first three innings.

Brittany Atteberry (Schererville, Ind./Lake Central H.S.) took the loss for Valpo, allowing five hits in three innings. Jessica Radtke (Eau Claire, Wis./Memorial H.S.) finished up, allowing one hit and striking out one in two innings of work.

Valpo (7-21, 3-6) and UMKC will wrap-up their four-game weekend series on Saturday afternoon with a 1 p.m. doubleheader at Adair Park in Independence.