The Valpo softball team saw its five-game winning streak come to an end Sunday morning in its tournament finale at the Charleston Invitational, falling 3-0 to Binghamton. Despite the loss, the Beacons concluded the tournament with the best record of the tournament field, posting a 4-1 record.

How It Happened

• Binghamton cracked the scoreboard in the top of the third inning, taking advantage of a Valpo error to score an unearned run.
• The Bearcats added a run in the top of the fourth on a leadoff homer.
• Valpo had perhaps its best chance of the day to put runs on the board in the bottom half of the fourth, taking advantage of an error and a Kate Beckemeyer (Forsyth, Ill./Maroa-Forsyth [Parkland]) single to put runners on the corners with one away. A double play ball ended the threat, however.
• That proved to be Valpo’s lone runner to advance past second base on the day. Binghamton wrapped the scoring with a two-out RBI single in the sixth.

Inside the Game

• Valpo’s 4-1 record on the weekend was the best in the five-team field, edging out Lipscomb’s 3-1 mark. The Beacons handed the Bisons their lone loss of the tournament on Saturday.
• Valpo was limited to just five hits on Sunday, with Lauren Kehlenbrink (Ballwin, Mo./Parkway South) the lone Beacon to post multiple base knocks. Kehlenbrink also walked as she reached base in all three of her plate appearances.
• Jaina Westphal (Waterford, Wis./Burlington) reached base multiple times as well, going 1-for-1 with a walk on Sunday.
• Despite taking the loss, freshman Cheyenne Nietz (Machesney Park, Ill./Harlem) had a strong effort in the circle in her first career start. Nietz went the distance, surrendering just two earned runs. She scattered eight hits while striking out six Binghamton batters.

Next Up

Valpo (5-4) will take next weekend away from competition before returning to the diamond at Indiana the weekend of March 5-6. The Beacons will face Western Illinois and the host Hoosiers twice apiece over the two days.