VALPARAISO, Ind. – Despite rallying late to make things interesting in the closing innings, the IUPUI softball team (13-19, 3-0) built too steep of a hole for itself due in part to four extra-base hits from Valparaiso (15-8) Wednesday (March 29), dropping the single game matchup 3-7.  The Jags move to 0-2 in both non-conference games since sweeping South Dakota State to begin Summit League play.
 
Seeing production from the bottom of the lineup for the second-straight day, Kristin London was a hot bat for the Jags, going 2-for-2 out of the No. 7 spot while walking once and scoring a run.  Alyssa Matson had a run-scoring hit on a 2-for-4 day, while Taylor Chitwood went 2-for-4 with a double in the three-spot.  Defensively, the Jags took a step back from the dramatic improvement they've show in recent weeks, committing three errors to make it five in two days.  Nickole Finch started for the Jags, tossing 4.1 innings while surrendering eight hits and five earned runs in a five strikeout performance.  Erica Tharp pitched 1.2 innings of relief, giving up four hits and two earned runs.
 
It didn't take long for the Crusaders to find the scoreboard, as following a lead single and a stolen base, a one-out double plated the runner, putting Valpo on top.  After a groundout, a single scored the second run, as IUPUI was pitted to a 0-2 deficit.
 
Both teams went empty until the fourth inning, as a single plated a run for Valpo.  The fifth inning is where things to ugly, as a leadoff double and a sacrifice bunt put a runner at third for the Crusaders.  The next batter clubbed a double to right center, pushing the first run across in the inning.  After a pitching change, a single to right field turned worse, as an error allowed the hitter to advance to second, scoring the runner on the play.  Another double, this time down the left field line, scored the third run for Valpo, as one final double to left field helped the Crusaders hang a four-spot on the Jags in just one half inning. 
 
Determined to make a game of it, Chitwood knocked a double down the left field line with one out in the top of the sixth inning, giving the Jags a runner in scoring position.  Sabrina Trevino entered the game as a pinch hitter, and singled down the right field line, scoring Chitwood to make it 1-7.
 
In the seventh inning, London led off with a single through the left side, followed by a groundout that moved her into scoring position.  A single by McKenzie Loge put runners at the corners with only one out, as Matson came up with a single to score the lead runner.  With Loge moving all the way to third on the play, a groundout by Delilah Wright put the Jags second run of the inning on the board, as the late rally was halted on a fly out to end the game.  The Jags fell 3-7.
 
With the loss, IUPUI will have the weekend off and will resume scheduled activities Tuesday (April 4) at 5 p.m. in a home meeting with Indiana State.
 
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