The Valpo softball team continued action from the Thundering Herd Round Robin in Huntington, W.V. on Saturday, falling 9-1 to host Marshall. Junior Taylor Herschbach (Lockport, Ill./Lockport Township) led the Valpo offense as she recorded a multi-hit day.

How It Happened

• Marshall scored its first four runs over the first four innings courtesy of the long ball. Mya Stevenson hit a two-run homer in the first, Aly Harrell connected on a solo shot in the third and Grace Chelemen went deep with the bases empty in the fourth.
• Meanwhile, Valpo wasn’t able to crack the scoreboard, but it wasn’t for lack of opportunities. Senior Addi Burke (Mesquite, Texas/John Horn) singled with one out in the first and advanced to second on an error before being stranded there.
• Herschbach led off the second frame with a double and sophomore Ryan Milkowski (Olathe, Kan./Olathe West) worked a full-count walk. A sacrifice bunt moved both into scoring position with just one out, but back-to-back outs kept Valpo off the board.
• The fourth inning saw Herschbach single with one out and Milkowski follow with another free pass. Two batters later, senior Brittany Anderson (East Chicago, Ind./Bishop Noll) drew a full-count walk to load the bases with two away before a strikeout left the bases loaded.
• A two-out rally pushed a run across the plate in the sixth inning. Milkowski started things off by being hit by a pitch and freshman Regi Hecker (Lee’s Summit, Mo./Blue Springs South) followed with an infield single. Anderson then lined the first pitch she saw the other way for an RBI base knock to plate Milkowski and cut the deficit to 4-1.
• With two in scoring position still, it was a prime opportunity to cut further into the lead, but a strikeout ended the inning.
• Marshall pushed five runs across in the bottom of the sixth to close out the game.

Inside the Game

• Herschbach recorded her 12^th career multi-hit game, going 2-for-3.
• Milkowski ended the game without an official at-bat, as she drew the two walks and was hit by a pitch.
• Anderson reached base twice as well.
• Hecker’s base hit in the sixth-inning rally was the first of her career.
• Sophomore Easton Seib (Blue Springs, Mo./Blue Springs South) threw the first four innings and was charged with the loss.
• Valpo stranded eight total runners on base, seven of which were in scoring position, over its six innings and was just 1-of-8 with runners in scoring position for the game.

Next Up

Valpo (2-6) closes out play in Huntington, W.V. with two games on Sunday. The Brown and Gold will take on Saint Francis (Pa.) at 8:30 a.m. CT before a rematch with host Marshall at approximately 12:30 p.m. CT. The game against the Thundering Herd will have a free video broadcast via CUSAtv.