The Valpo softball team loaded the bases twice in five turns at the plate in its MVC series opener at Illinois State Friday, but was unable to cash in for any runs as the host Redbirds downed the Beacons, 10-0.

How It Happened

• Valpo had a strong chance to take the lead in the top of the second with a two-out rally. Freshman Kayden Krug (Milford, Ohio/Mount Notre Dame) started things by working a nine-pitch walk, senior Emily Crompton (Salem, Ill./Christ Our Rock Lutheran) knocked a single into center and sophomore Lyna Vasquez (Moreno Valley, Calif./Valley View) drew a walk to load the bases. A grounder resulted in a force out to end the frame, however.
• Illinois State opened the scoring with three unearned runs in the bottom of the second.
• The Redbirds added a run in the third and then scored six two-out runs in the fourth, two of which were unearned.
• The Beacons loaded the bases in the fifth in an attempt to extend the game, with walks by senior Kayla Skapyak (Macomb, Mich./Dakota) and sophomore Kim Rodas (San Bernardino, Calif./Cajon) sandwiching a base hit from sophomore Kam Utendorf (Columbus Grove, Ohio/Columbus Grove [Black Hawk College]). A fly ball to center closed out the game.

Inside the Game

• No Beacon reached base multiple times in Friday’s game, as three players tallied base hits and four others drew one walk apiece.
• Valpo went 0-for-4 with runners in scoring position, while Illinois State was 4-for-13 in those scenarios.
• Freshman Sydney McDermott (Stout, Ohio/Portsmouth West) took the loss in the circle, although in her three-plus innings of work, only two of the five runs she surrendered were earned.

Next Up

Valpo (8-25, 2-10 MVC) continues the series from Normal, Ill. on Saturday afternoon at 2 p.m.