INDIANAPOLIS – IUPUI could not get much going at the plate as IUPUI lost 4-1 to Valparaiso on Wednesday (Mar. 27). The Jags only managed three hits and struck out seven times against the Crusaders.

Valparaiso used late offense to get by the Jags, scoring one three runs in the fifth and sixth inning to break the tie. After starter Lexi Lucas and Dezirae Leonard combined to throw four shutout innings, Valpo got to reliever Jada Speth scoring one run in the fifth inning and pushing the lead to three with a two-run home run in the sixth.

Mandy Dallas highlighted the Jags offense going 2-for-3 at the plate and hitting her second home run of the season. Speth tallied IUPUI's only other hit on the day. The Jags managed to draw three walks but left five runners on base.

IUPUI got on the board early as Dallas crushed a solo home run to left field in the top of the first. The lead did not last long as Valpo got a solo home run on the second pitch of the bottom of the first to tie the game.

After the first, both starters settled down keeping the scoreboard blank for the second inning.

In the third, IUPUI threatened with a Haley Ginger drawing a one-out walk and moving to third on a single by Dallas. Dallas eventually stole second but Delaney Thompson could not come through, grounding out to short to end the inning.

IUPUI's starter Lucas had her day ended after two innings with Dezirae Leonard coming in to the game. Valpo welcomed Leonard with back-to-back singles but Sabrina Trevino threw out a runner at third attempting to steal and a foul out put two outs on the board. After a walk, another foul out ended Valpo's threat.

Leonard again faced a bit of a threat in the fourth as Valpo put a runner on second after Dallas dropped a fly ball in shallow right field. The junior did not let the error break open the inning getting a full count strikeout to end the inning.

IUPUI had another chance to take the lead in the top of the fifth as Emily Berrisford moved to third on a wild pitch with two outs after drawing a leadoff walk. Pinch hitter Maddie Keeley grounded out to end the inning.

It was the last time that the Jags would threaten the Crusaders as IUPUI did not manage to get a runner to second base in the sixth or seventh inning.

UP NEXT
IUPUI will host Youngstown State for the Jags first Horizon League home game of the season. The Jaguars and the Penguins will begin a three-game set on Friday (Mar. 29) with first pitch at 12 p.m.