TERRE HAUTE, Ind. – The Sycamores (6-19) hosted the Beacons (12-10) for game two of their three-game series on Saturday afternoon, looking to build on their 6-2 victory in Friday's opener. After a hard-fought battle, Indiana State fell 3-2 in 11 innings, evening the series at 1-1 ahead of Sunday's finale.
The game remained scoreless until the third inning when Valparaiso broke through. Krug drew a walk before Gallagher launched a two-run homer, giving the Beacons a 2-0 lead.
Indiana State threatened in the bottom half of the inning, loading the bases with no outs but did not capitalize. Lauren Marsicek recorded the Sycamores first hit of the game with a single to right center.
Whitley Wischmeier reached on a walk, while Madison Poulson reached on an error to load the bases. However, Valpo's defense held strong, retiring the next three batters to escape the jam.
The Sycamore defense stepped up in the fourth and fifth innings to keep the Beacons from adding to their lead. In the fifth, Morgan Goodrich made a major diving catch in left field, robbing Jackson of a hit and keeping momentum on Indiana State's side.
Brailey Mills made a smart play in right field, fielding the ball and executing a fielder's choice to retire Kuhlmann at second while Lopez reached first. Lauren Marsicek then came up big at third, delivering a strong throw across the diamond to get the out and keep the Sycamores within reach.
Indiana State's offense came alive in the bottom of the fifth to tie the game at 2-2. Goodrich continued her strong weekend at the plate, delivering a clutch double to drive in Marsicek, who had reached on a walk, for the Sycamores first run.
Sophie Esposito followed by putting pressure on Valparaiso's defense, reaching on an error by the second baseman, which allowed Goodrich to score and tie the game.
Valpo threatened again in the seventh, putting two runners on with a single and a walk, but Indiana State's defense held firm to keep the game tied at 2-2. The Beacons then shut down the Sycamores in order, sending the game into extra innings.
In the ninth, Valpo once again put the go-ahead run in scoring position, advancing a runner to third. Indiana State's defense came up big, turning a clutch double play to erase a scoring threat.
Shortly after, Abby Widmar made a key catch in foul territory, preventing the Beacons from capitalizing and keeping the game tied.
Valpo finally broke the tie in the 11th inning, taking a 3-2 lead when Lopez delivered an RBI double to bring Krug home. Indiana State turned to Megan Asher in relief, and she immediately made an impact, retiring a batter to limit the damage and strand two runners.
Despite their strong effort, the Sycamores couldn't respond in the bottom half, ultimately falling 3-2 in extra innings. The series is now tied at 1-1, with the deciding game scheduled for Sunday at noon.
Lauren Sackett took the loss in the game against Valparaiso on Saturday afternoon. She pitched 10.2 innings, allowing eight hits and three runs scored. Sackett issued six walks and struck out six batters.
Up Next:
The Sycamores and Beacons will face off in the finale of the series tomorrow at noon.
Follow the Sycamores
For the latest information on Sycamore Softball, be sure to visit GoSycamores.com. You can also find the team on social media, including Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube. Fans can also receive updates on Sycamore Athletics by downloading the March On App from both the App Store and the Google Play Store.
#MarchOn
