A two-run double by Taylor Callahan (Grayson, Ga./Greater Atlanta Christian H.S.) in the bottom of the sixth put Valpo in front as the Crusaders rallied for a 7-4 win over Oakland in game two to sweep a doubleheader at the Valparaiso University Softball Field. The Crusaders took the opener 7-1.

Oakland jumped in front in the nightcap with a pair of runs in the second as a Valpo error and an RBI from Stephanie Brillhart gave the Golden Grizzlies a 2-0 lead. Valpo cut the lead in half with an RBI single from Tricia Speziale (Elmhurst, Ill./York H.S.) in the third, and took the lead in the fourth. Kelly Silvey (Indianapolis, Ind./Bishop Chatard H.S.) doubled home Megan Carroll (Eaton Rapids, Mich./Eaton Rapids H.S.) to tie the game, and eventually scored on a Callahan sacrifice fly to center.

The visitors retook the lead in the top of the fifth as Katie Jones singled home two. Valpo mounted its late, plating four in the bottom of the sixth. Callahan doubled to left to score Carroll and Stephanie Reinke (Parker, Colo./J.K. Mullen H.S.) to take a 5-4 lead. Karen Constien (Carol Stream, Ill./Glenbard North H.S.) tripled to plate Callahan and Speziale capped off the scoring with a single to score Constien.

Silvey finished game two with three hits, while Speziale had two for Valpo. Toni Salo and Brillhart each had two for Oakland. Brittany Atteberry (Schererville, Ind./Lake Central H.S.) got the win for the Crusaders while Korey Schluckbier suffered the loss for Oakland.

In the opener, Valpo scored four in the second on the way to the victory. Monica Rowan (Evergreen Park, Ill./Evergreen Park H.S.) singled in a run and Reinke brought home another. Carlene Grecco (Carmel, Ind./Carmel H.S.) plated two with her pinch hit single in the second to make it 4-0 Valpo.

A Reinke sacrifice fly in the fourth increased the lead to five, but Oakland scored a run in the fifth on an infield single by Salo. The Crusaders added a pair of unearned runs for insurance in the sixth before Nicole Marzano doubled to cap off the scoring for the Golden Grizzlies in the top of the seventh. Marzano had two hits in the opener for Oakland, but suffered the loss in the circle.

Rowan had a pair of hits for Valpo, while Amanda Gilbertson (Murrieta, Calif./West Albany H.S., Ore.) went the distance with six strikeouts for the win.

Valpo (11-15, 5-1 Mid-Con) and Oakland (9-22, 1-9) will conclude their four-game weekend series on Saturday with another doubleheader. First pitch is scheduled for noon.