VALPARAISO, Ind. (GreenBayPhoenix.com) – After defeating Valparaiso 7-2 in yesterday's matchup, the Green Bay softball team (8-12) continued conference play this afternoon with a doubleheader against the Crusaders. The first game ended 10-2 in favor of Valparaiso, but the second game reached its conclusion with the Phoenix on top 12-7.
Valparaiso 10, Green Bay 2 (6 Innings)
Valparaiso wasted no time getting things going offensively, hitting a solo home run in the first inning to lead things 1-0.
The 1-0 Crusaders lead would hold until the top of the fourth inning when Ashley Baker would knock a double into center field, scoring Allie Taylor and Katelyn Huemmer to give Green Bay the 2-1 lead heading into the bottom of the inning.
Valparaiso would not wait long to respond, stringing together a three-run fourth inning off of a 3 RBI triple from Lawson to regain the lead for Valparaiso 4-2.
The Phoenix was unable to put any runs on the board in the remainder of the game, falling to Valparaiso 10-2 in six innings.
Baker had a strong showing at the plate in the first game, going 2-for-3 with a double and two RBIs.
Briana Cavin received the start for Green Bay and spent 5.2 innings in the circle, allowing 10 runs, 10 hits and picking up five strikeouts.
Green Bay 12, Valparaiso 7
After dropping the first game, Green Bay wasted no time getting on the board. Hailey Mohrfeld led things off for the Phoenix and picked up a single to right field. Once on base, Mohrfeld advanced to second off of a Miranda Spangberg sacrifice bunt. With one out remaining in the inning and it looking like Mohrfeld may get stranded on second, Jaclyn Delagrange hit a single into center to score Mohrfeld and give Green Bay a 1-0 lead.
Valparaiso responded immediately in the bottom of the inning, scoring four runs off of four hits to lead things 4-1 heading into the second inning.
After a quiet second inning from both teams, Green Bay put two more runs on the board in the third inning off of a two RBI triple from Huemmer, lowering the deficit to one with four innings to play.
The next offensive action from either team came in the fifth inning, as Green Bay scored two more runs to regain the lead 5-4. The two runs came from one swing of Allie Taylor's bat, as Taylor sent one over the center field wall with Delagrange standing on first after reaching on a fielder's choice.
Green Bay would go on to add two runs in the sixth inning as well, increasing its lead to three runs (7-4) with one and a half innings left. The two runs in the sixth inning came from a Delagrange home run that scored Abby Brinkmeier, who reached the at-bat prior from a bunt single.
Valparaiso responded to the Green Bay advantage with a two-run inning of its own, with Ranieri hitting a two-run homer to score Moreno and bring the Crusaders within one heading into the final inning.
Green Bay put the game away in the final inning, scoring five runs to lead Valparaiso 12-6. The Phoenix used five hits, four of which picked up an RBI, to put together the five-run inning. Mohrfeld, Huemmer, Spangberg and Delagrange all picked up RBI singles in the final inning.
The Crusaders were unable to rally in the final inning, giving Green Bay the 12-7 victory in the second game of the twinbill.
Taylor finished the game 2-for-3 at the plate with a home run and a pair of walks. Delagrange finished the day with two hits, one of which was a home run.
Heather Sanderson picked up her second win of the weekend, allowing eight hits, six runs and adding four strikeouts to her weekend resume.
"Our confidence and belief in our ability improved a lot our last game," said head coach Beth Spoehr. "The team really came together this weekend. It seems like every game a few different women step up, and that's what being on a team is all about."
The Phoenix softball team will return to action next weekend when it travels to Chicago, Ill. for a three-game series with UIC. The first game will be Friday at 3 p.m., with the second and third games getting underway at 12 p.m. and 2 p.m. on Saturday.
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