April 24, 2008

Game One Box Score | Game Two Box Score

Wright State closed out the home portion of its schedule with a split against Horizon League leader Valparaiso Thursday afternoon at the WSU Softball Field. The Crusaders won the opener 3-2 in nine innings before the Raiders bounced back with a 4-2 decision in the nightcap.

Game one was a pitcher's duel for eight innings as both teams managed just one run. Valpo scored its run in the third as Tracy Korth walked, advanced to third on a Alicia Ashburn double to right center and came in on a Shannon Robinson ground out to second. Wright State tied the game in the fourth as Louie Haney singled through the left side, Jherica Williams and Kristen Bradshaw were hit by pitches and Haney was awarded home as Jill Jacobson was called for an illegal pitch.

The Crusaders went ahead to stay in the ninth as Korth hit a two-run double to left center to plate Ashley Wolter, who reached on an error, and Whitney Warner, who followed with a single down the left field line.

Bradshaw led off the bottom of the ninth with her ninth home run of the season to left center, but WSU could get no closer as Andrea Zappia (16-5) struck out two in the frame to close out the game, giving her eight over 7.1 innings of work.

Heather Bauer (2-2) was the tough-luck loser for Wright State, giving up two unearned runs in four innings of relief.

Warner had three hits for Valparaiso in the first game and Korth two while Haney tallied two hits for the Raiders.

The Crusaders took the early lead in game two with a single run in the second as Sadie Conner's ground out drove in Mallory Gill, who reached on an error and went to third on a Korth double to left center. Valpo then made 2-0 in the third as Karen Korb singled, went to second on a passed ball, advanced to third on a ground out and scored on Wolter's sacrifice fly to center.

Wright State started its comeback in the third as after loading the bases on a Briauna Birl infield hit and walks to Jamie Perkins and Williams, Bradshaw had a hit up the middle to plate Birl. The Raiders tied the game an inning later as Justine Shilt singled through the right side with one out and after Birl hit into a force out, she scored from first on a double to the gap in left center off the bat of Perkins.

WSU went ahead for good in the fifth as Bradshaw had a one-out hit through the left side of the infield and Bridget Henry followed on the next pitch with a line drive home run to left, her second of the year.

Bauer (3-2) picked up the win in the second game as she threw four innings of scoreless relief, including pitching out of a two-on, nobody out jam in the sixth. Zappia (16-6) took the loss as she gave up three runs in 2.2 innings of relief.

Korth had two hits in the second game for Valparaiso (27-14, 9-3 Horizon), both doubles, as she had three altogether in the twinbill while Bradshaw and Shilt each had two hits for the Raiders.

Wright State, now 25-23 overall and 10-7 in the Horizon League, has the bye from league play this weekend and is off until Wednesday, April 30, when the Raiders visit IPFW for a 3:00 doubleheader.