Sunday, March 06, 2005

Valparaiso lost its final two games of Southern Illinois Classic on Sunday, falling 4-3 to Kansas and 4-0 to Ball State in Carbondale, Ill.

Trailing 2-0 in the third of the opener, Taylor Callahan (Grayson, Ga./Greater Atlanta Christian H.S.) hit a three-run homer to put the Brown and Gold in front. Kansas (10-7) responded with single runs in the fourth and fifth to take the victory though.

Valpo committed three errors in the game and was held to just two hits by Kassie Humphries. Chris Halstead (Indianapolis, Ind./Cathedral H.S.) went the distance in the circle for the Crusaders, allowing five hits and striking out five.

In the tournament's consolation game, Mallory Gill (Beloit, Wis./Memorial H.S.) had Valpo's lone hit against Amy Brownfield as the Cardinal hurler struck out eight. Ball State (3-9) scored two runs in the fifth and two more in the sixth.

Valpo committed three more errors, leading to an unearned run, in the night cap. Halstead suffered the loss for the Crusaders, going 3 1/3 innings in relief.

Valparaiso (0-4) will return to action on Wednesday afternoon as the Crusaders head to Wichita, Kan. for a doubleheader against Wichita State. First pitch is scheduled for 2 p.m.