The Valpo softball team concluded a 24-game stretch away from home to open the 2022 season on Tuesday afternoon, dropping a non-conference game at Western Michigan by a 3-0 final.

How It Happened

• Valpo had its first scoring chance in the second inning, as Kate Beckemeyer (Forsyth, Ill./Maroa-Forsyth [Parkland]) singled with one out and moved up to second on a groundout before being stranded there.
• Easton Seib (Blue Springs, Mo./Blue Springs South) got off to a strong start in the circle, retiring the side in order in each of the first three innings — six groundouts and three strikeouts.
• The Beacons got off to a strong start in the top of the fourth. Taylor Herschbach (Lockport, Ill./Lockport Township) led off the inning with a single the other way and proceeded to steal second. Two batters later, after Herschbach moved over to third on a wild pitch, Lauren Kehlenbrink (Ballwin, Mo./Parkway South) reached on a WMU error.
• Kehlenbrink proceeded to steal second to put two runners into scoring position for the Beacons. Beckemeyer drew a subsequent four-pitch walk to load the bases with one out, but back-to-back strikeouts kept Valpo off the board.
• The Broncos’ first baserunner of the game accounted for the game’s first run, as Jordyn Swinehart tripled and scored on a Valpo error in the bottom of the fourth.
• WMU added two more runs on a two-out double in the bottom of the fifth.
• A leadoff double from Herschbach in the top of the sixth inning accounted for Valpo’s lone baserunner over the final three innings.

Inside the Game

• Tuesday’s game was a makeup from a postponed game last Wednesday.
• The Beacons and Broncos ended up splitting their season series, as Valpo beat WMU last month at the Rosemont Dome, 9-5.
• Herschbach tallied a pair of hits on Tuesday, while Beckemeyer reached base twice as well.
• Herschbach is now a perfect 5-for-5 this season stealing bases. Kehlenbrink’s stolen base was the first of her Valpo career, as Valpo is 25-for-27 this year as a team on the basepaths.
• Seib took the loss in the circle despite a solid outing, scattering five hits while striking out four and walking none.

Next Up

Valpo (9-15) is scheduled to open the home slate this weekend as it welcomes Bradley to town for an MVC series. The three-game set is slated to open Saturday with a doubleheader beginning at noon, with all three games scheduled for streaming on ESPN3.