The Valparaiso University softball team came out on the wrong end of both ends of a doubleheader at UNI Saturday afternoon as MVC play continued, dropping the opener 17-1 and the nightcap 8-0. The finale of the three-game series has been pushed back an hour, with first pitch now coming at noon on Sunday afternoon.

How It Happened – Game One

• Valpo jumped out on top in the top of the first inning. Freshman Peyton Moeder (Shawnee, Kan./Mill Valley) knocked a one-out single back up the middle, and after moving up to second on a sacrifice bunt, came home on a run-scoring single from senior Jaymee Lawton (Goodyear, Ariz./Desert Edge [Utah Valley]).
• Freshman Jaina Westphal (Waterford, Wis./Burlington) knocked a one-out double down the left-field line to get into scoring position in the second inning, but would be stranded on second. The Panthers then scored three runs in their half of the second to take a 3-1 lead.
• Valpo looked poised to cut into the deficit or maybe even regain the lead in the top of the third, as Moeder led off the inning with a four-pitch walk and fellow rookie Taylor Herschbach (Lockport, Ill./Lockport Township) dropped down a perfect bunt single to put two on with nobody out. But a double play ball and a pop-up kept Valpo off the board.
• UNI scored six runs in the third and eight runs in the fourth to close the scoring.

How It Happened – Game Two

• The Panthers took the lead in their first turn at-bat on a sacrifice fly, and then scored five runs in the second on three home runs to go up 6-0.
• Junior Jenna Edwards (Winchester, Ky./George Rogers Clark [Chattanooga State C.C.]) kept UNI off the board in each of the next three innings.
• Valpo got its first hits of the ballgame in the top of the sixth, as junior Morgan Matalin (Crown Point, Ind./Crown Point) and Moeder tallied consecutive base knocks. But the duo would end the frame on base.
• UNI closed out its win with two more runs in the bottom of the sixth.

Inside the Games

• Moeder reached base in three of her five plate appearances Saturday, going 1-for-1 with a walk in the opener before going 1-for-3 in the nightcap. The freshman topped the Valpo order in the second game of the day, her first career start in the leadoff spot.
• Lawton reached base twice on the day as well, including her RBI single in the first game for her team-high 16th RBI of the season.
• Defensively, Valpo played errorless softball in both games of the twinbill, handling 38 total chances on the day without a miscue.

Next Up

Valpo (12-21, 2-13 MVC) closes out the series against UNI on Sunday at noon. The game will be broadcast live on ESPN+.