Friday, May 02, 2003

The Valparaiso softball team dropped both ends of its doubleheader to Oakland on Friday afternoon, falling 7-0 in the opener and 8-1 in the nightcap in Rochester, Mich.

In game one, the Golden Grizzlies scored five times in the first three innings on the way to the victory. In the opening inning, a Megan Piar sacrifice fly and an Ericka Burns homer put the hosts up 2-0. Carrie Knorr added an RBI single in the second and Lauren Seffens plated a run in the third. Oakland added two sixth inning runs on singles by Seffens and Knorr.

Stephanie Reinke (Parker, Colo./J.K. Mullen H.S.) had a pair of hits for the Brown and Gold, which tallied just four in the opener. Amanda Gilbertson (Murrieta, Calif./West Albany H.S., Ore.) and Bridget Schwoegler (Chesterton, Ind./Chesterton H.S.) had Valpo's other hits.

In the circle, Gilbertson started and went five innings, while Erica Dahlmeier (Rockford, Ill./Boylan Catholic H.S.) threw the sixth. Julie Anderson went the distance for the Golden Grizzlies, striking out seven for the shutout.

In the nightcap, Nicole Marzano baffled Crusader hitters for the first five innings, taking a no-hitter into the sixth. Reinke broke up the bid with a bunt single with one out and Corey Burns (Orland Park, Ill./Sandburg H.S.) doubled down the rightfield line. Reinke then scored on a Marzano wild pitch for Valpo's lone run of the game.

Oakland (27-23-1, 13-5 Mid-Con) scored in the opening inning and added four in the third, two on wild pitches and one on a passed ball. The Golden Grizzlies added single runs in the fourth, fifth, and sixth to secure the victory.

Marzano allowed just two hits while striking out 13 in the victory. Brittany Atteberry (Schererville, Ind./Lake Central H.S.) went the distance for the Crusaders, fanning one.

Valpo (7-35, 3-14) will conclude its season on Saturday afternoon as the Crusaders close its series with the Golden Grizzlies. First pitch of the doubleheader is set for 1 p.m. CDT.