The Valparaiso University softball team saw its 2016 campaign come to a close in the NCAA Tournament Saturday afternoon, as the Crusaders fell 8-0 to #23 Notre Dame in an elimination game at the Ann Arbor regional.

The Irish took advantage of the short game to take the lead in the top of the first. Back-to-back infield singles led things off for Notre Dame, and a Crusader error on the infield allowed the first run to score. Micaela Arizmendi then sent a single through the right side for another run, and Caitlyn Brooks knocked a double to left to make it 4-0 Notre Dame.

A leadoff error turned into second and third with nobody out for Notre Dame in the second inning, but the Crusaders would only give up one run – covering a bunt well and then turning a fly ball into a double play, as sophomore Jasmine Ramirez (Litchfield Park, Ariz./Millennium) cut off the throw from junior Taylor Lawson (Tucson, Ariz./Sahuaro) and relayed it on to third to cut down the Irish trail runner.

Notre Dame scored another unearned run in the third inning, and then took advantage of back-to-back doubles to plate a run in the fourth. Senior Kaitlyn Ranieri (Schererville, Ind./Lake Central) helped limit the Irish to just one run in the fourth with a couple big catches in right field, including an effort running into the side field wall, separating the field from the bullpen, to chase down a foul ball.

Lawson delivered a one-out bunt single for Valpo’s first hit in the bottom of the fourth and stole second base – her 23^rd successful steal in 24 attempts in 2016 – but would be stranded there. The Irish’s Kimmy Sullivan connected on a leadoff home run in the fifth for the game’s final margin.

Making her final collegiate appearance, the program record 149^th appearance in the circle of her career, senior Taylor Weissenhofer (Orland Park, Ill./Lockport Township) took the loss, as she went the distance, falling to 10-14 on the year. Allie Rhodes earned the complete-game win for Notre Dame (42-12), improving to 19-6.

With Saturday’s loss, the careers of five Crusader seniors come to an end – Ranieri, Weissenhofer, Mackenzie Buchelt (Lisle, Ill./Lisle), Mollie Lindeman (Hebron, Ind./Hebron [PNC]) and Sierra Pico (Las Vegas, Nev./Legacy).