The Valpo softball staff mixed to place up 13 runs on 23 hits over its first two video games on the UNLV Rebel Classic from Las Vegas Thursday night, however massive early deficits proved an excessive amount of for the Beacons to beat, as they fell 9-7 to Utah Valley and 11-6 to the host Rebels.
How It Happened – Utah Valley
A two-out grand slam capped a six-run first inning for the Wolverines, who added one other run within the second.
Valpo began to chop into the deficit within the third, as Kaia Garnica (Plainfield, Ill./Plainfield Central) took benefit of an at-bat with the bases loaded and two outs and delivered a two-run single.
Utah Valley plated one in its half of the third to make it an 8-2 sport.
Garnica had one other run-scoring hit within the fifth with an RBI single, and later within the body, Jenna Flessner (Washington, Ill./Washington) drew a bases-loaded stroll to attract inside 8-4.
The Wolverines scored one within the backside of the sixth earlier than the Beacons tried a seventh-inning rally. Ava Goodman (San Diego, Calif./West Hills) went yard with a runner on base to drag to inside 9-6. Later within the inning, Sophia Leitzen (Orfordville, Wis./Brodhead) related on an RBI double with two outs to convey the potential tying run to the plate earlier than a groundout ended the competition.
How It Happened – UNLV
Batting because the guests for the second straight sport, Valpo took benefit to leap out to a fast lead. Madison Vrastil (Oak Forest, Ill./Andrew) stole dwelling on the again finish of a double steal and Cadan Brinkman (Bloomington, Ill./Normal Community [Campbell/Wofford]) picked up a run-scoring single to offer the Beacons two within the prime of the primary
Much like the primary sport of the day, nevertheless, a multi-run homer capped a giant crooked quantity for the house staff within the backside of the primary. This time, it was a three-run round-tripper to place UNLV on prime, 5-2. The Rebels then added three extra runs of their subsequent time at bat.
Valpo sliced the deficit in half within the prime of the fourth, shifting to inside 8-5. Mack Gallagher (Frankfort, Ill./Lincoln-Way East [MSU Moorhead]) registered an RBI single and Kim Rodas (San Bernardino, Calif./Cajon) introduced dwelling two with a single of her personal.
UNLV scored three within the backside of the fifth to drag again out to a six-run lead. Azalya Lopez (Corona, Calif./Eleanor Roosevelt [MSU Moorhead]) posted a pinch-hit RBI double within the sixth, however that was all of the nearer the Beacons would get.
Inside the Games
Valpo tallied seven walks within the Utah Valley sport, its sixth sport of the season with at the very least seven free passes.
The Beacons then racked up 14 hits versus UNLV, their second-highest whole of the 12 months and the fourth time they have been in double figures within the class.
Runners left on base harm Valpo on Thursday, because it stranded eight within the two-run loss to UVU after which left 13 on in opposition to UNLV.
Garnica and Gallagher each reached base in each video games Thursday, extending their respective on-base streaks to 9 straight video games to open the season.
The Beacons utilized 17 gamers within the batting order within the Utah Valley sport, and the reserves took full benefit of their alternatives in that contest, as six of seven reached base at the very least as soon as.
Highlights from the bench included Goodman hitting a two-run homer in her first collegiate plate look, Flessner going 1-for-1 with a stroll, a run scored and an RBI in her first collegiate motion and Cici Wilson (St. Charles, Ill./St. Charles East) drawing a stroll and scoring two runs.
Garnica reached in all three of her plate appearances versus the Wolverines, going 2-for-2 with a stroll and three RBIs.
Lopez began and took the loss within the circle in opposition to UVU, falling to 1-2 as she tossed the primary 4 innings.
The prime three within the Valpo order all had multi-hit video games within the nightcap. Vrastil picked up two hits and scored two runs in opposition to the Rebels, and stole a base apiece in every of Thursday’s two video games — the sophomore is now 8-for-8 on the season on the basepaths and 25-for-25 for her profession.
Grace Hollopeter (Lake Village, Ind./North Newton [Purdue Fort Wayne]) tallied a pair of hits and scored a run in opposition to UNLV, whereas Gallagher reached 3 times, going 2-for-3 with a stroll and an RBI.
Rodas reached base in 5 of her six plate appearances over the pair of video games, together with 4 occasions in opposition to the Rebels, going 2-for-2 with two walks, two RBIs and a run scored.
Brinkman additionally had a pair of hits versus UNLV and drove in a single.
Sydney McDermott (Stout, Ohio/Portsmouth West) began and took the loss within the circle, falling to 3-2 as she lasted simply 1.1 innings. Goodman closed the evening with 1.2 innings of shutout aid.
Next Up
Valpo (4-5) turns proper round and performs twice extra on Friday, going through Merrimack at 2 p.m. CT and Idaho State at 8 p.m. CT. Live video for each video games will probably be obtainable by the UNLV YouTube channel.