Box Score 1 | Box Score 2 | Amanda Rivera Postgame Interview | Ali Mosier Postgame Interview

INDIANAPOLIS – For the final time this season, the IUPUI softball team stepped on to the field at the IUPUI Softball Complex on Wednesday when it hosted a doubleheader against Valparaiso and after watching the Crusaders rally for a 5-4 win in the opener, the Jaguars finished their home schedule with a 3-1 victory.

With the split, IUPUI improved to 18-28 on the season, while Valparaiso moved to 27-23.

“Offensively, we did a really good job of making things happen. We had a lot of hit-and-runs today and moved runners over and if we keep doing that, we’re going to win more ball games,” head coach Amanda Rivera said.

Game 1 – Valparaiso 5, IUPUI 4

Following a scoreless inning and a half, the Jags put a crooked number on the scoreboard first in the bottom of the second. Alicia Brewer started the frame with a walk and then moved into scoring position during the next at-bat on a sacrifice bunt from Angela Bartucci. Brewer advanced to third on a wild pitch before scoring on a two-run blast from Jessica Lam that put the Jags on top 2-0.

Nikki Thomas continued to keep the Crusaders off-balance and in the bottom of the third, she received more run support when the Jaguars were able to double their lead. The two runs came on a two-run homer from Ali Mosier, her fourth of the season, pushing the advantage to 4-0.

Thomas continued to cruise until the fifth, when Valparaiso capitalized on a Jaguars miscue to knot the score. With two outs and runners on first and second, Kimberlin Wallace hit a slow roller in front of home plate that appeared to be a routine out. Unfortunately, an errant throw into the outfield allowed one run to score while leaving runners on the corners. During the next pitch, Joylyn Ichiyama belted a three-run homer to left field tying the score at four.

IUPUI had a pair of opportunities to win the game in regulation when runners made their way to second in both the sixth and seventh innings, but it could not capitalize on those opportunities resulting in the game going to extra innings.

In the top of the eighth, Tarah McShane gave Valparaiso its first lead of the game when she hit a two-out, solo home run to catapult the Crusaders in front, 5-4.

Unfortunately, IUPUI could not put the winning run on base in its half of the eighth allowing Valpo to cap off the 5-4 victory.
Thomas pitched 5.0 strong innings for IUPUI giving up four hits and four runs, but none of those were earned. Jocelyn Oppenhuis picked up the loss in three innings of relief.

Game 2 – IUPUI 3, Valparaiso 1

Both starting pitchers, Nicole Natter and Amanda Bolton, escaped some early trouble and kept the game scoreless through three innings before the Jags again were the first to get on the board in the bottom of the fourth.

In the bottom of the fourth, Eryn Dillon kicked things off with a line drive double to right field. A Lam single moved Dillon to third and put runners on the corners with nobody out, but Lam was aggressive on the base paths and proceeded to move into scoring position by stealing second. That move paid dividends when Aundria Basquez singled through the right side to score Dillon and Lam, giving IUPUI a two-run cushion.

Three batters later with a runner on first and two outs, Mosier delivered a clutch two-out double that scored Kelsey Rupert all the way from first and upped the Jaguars advantage to 3-0.

Natter continued to make her way through the Valpo lineup with ease retiring the side in order in both the fifth and sixth innings, before the Crusaders made one final rally in the seventh.

Three singles intermixed with a line out and a strike out loaded the bases for the Crusaders in the bottom of the seventh with two outs. Natter attempted to get the final out against pinch-hitter Lindsey Norway, but a pitch escaped Natter and clipped Norway bringing in one run and forcing Rivera to make a pitching change. Rivera brought in Cassie Vodde to face Valparaiso’s most dangerous hitter in Ichiyama, but Vodde forced Ichiyama to pop out to Morgan Schlobohm securing the win for Natter, while picking up her first save of the season.

Natter went 6.2 innings giving up seven hits and one earned run, while striking out seven en route to her second win of the season.

“We just asked our pitchers to hit their spots and get ground balls for us and that is exactly what Nicole Natter did,” Rivera added.

Offensively, Mosier led IUPUI going 3-for-4 with an RBI. Basquez was the other Jag to post a multi-hit game with a pair of base knocks. On the day, Mosier went 4-for-6 with three RBI and the freshman from Simi Valley, Calif., currently leads the Jags with a .321 average and 30 RBI.

“I felt ready good [today] – and I think it showed,” Mosier said following the game. “I was ready to go and I wasn’t thinking too much at the plate, so I think that had something to do [with the success].”

“Ali has been steady. She comes to play every day and I know every time she comes to the plate, she is going to make something happen,” Rivera said. “She’s been solid all season and I can’t ask for more from her.”

The Jaguars conclude their regular season May 3-4, when they travel up Interstate 69 to Fort Wayne, Ind., to take on IPFW. The Jags and Mastodons will begin their three-game, Summit League set on Friday, May 3 at 3 p.m. with game one of their doubleheader. Game 2 will start at approximately 5 p.m. The final game of the series will be played at Noon on Saturday, May 4.