Valpo softball senior Regi Hecker (Lee’s Summit, Mo./Blue Springs South) was a perfect 3-for-3, including a home run, at the plate Saturday afternoon as the Beacons dropped the middle game of their MVC series at Missouri State, 12-1.

How It Happened

• Missouri State opened the scoring with a two-out RBI single in the bottom of the first.
• Valpo tied the game in its half of the third as Hecker drove a 2-2 pitch over the wall in right field, making it a 1-1 game.
• The Bears took the lead back in the bottom half of the frame as Annie Mueller connected on a grand slam.
• MSU added seven runs in the fourth — two of which were unearned — including a three-run homer by Mueller.
• The Beacons picked up a pair of base hits in the top of the fifth, but were unable to push runs across the plate to extend the game.

Inside the Game

• Hecker’s round-tripper in the third inning was her third homer of the season and the fourth of her collegiate career.
• The senior bookended the homer with singles in the first and fifth innings, finishing the game 3-for-3 at the plate. It was her third three-hit game of the season and the sixth of her career.
• The six total bases on Saturday was a new single-game high for Hecker.
• Hecker pushed her team-best batting average to .360 with the three-hit afternoon.
• Sophomore Lyna Vasquez (Moreno Valley, Calif./Valley View) notched her second career double in the second inning.
• Freshman Anna Wilming (Columbus, Ohio/Olentangy Orange) started in the circle and took the loss.

Next Up

Valpo (8-31, 2-14 MVC) closes out the series with the Bears Sunday at noon.