Aces take Sunday finale by 3-2 final
After jumping out to a 3-0 lead, the University of Evansville softball team was able to hang on for a 3-2 victory over Valparaiso in Sunday’s series finale.
UE (14-28, 7-12 MVC) starting pitcher Morgan Florey went the distance and struck out 15 Crusader (18-21, 5-12 MVC) batters. The Purple Aces notched six hits on the day with two coming off the bat of freshman Toni Galas.
“We showed outstanding fight out of our ladies today! This team just never gives up,†Aces head coach Mat Mundell said. “Morgan was just dominant in the circle today and was able to neutralize them all day. We really did well this series, we have been so close all season and it is good to break through.â€
Each team racked up hits in the opening three innings, but the Aces were the first to cross the plate, scoring three times in the top of the fourth.
With one out, Elyse Hickey reached on a Crusader error before advancing to second on a single by Mea Adams. Alex Latoria was hit by a pitch to load the bases and bring up catcher Bailee Bostic. She came through with a single to left field to bring home Hickey for the first run of the game.
Toni Galas was next for UE and singled up the middle to reload the bases and make it a 2-0 game. Eryn Gould made it three RBI singles in a row as her infield single made it 3-0. Following a pitching change, Valparaiso was able to record the final two outs to avoid further damage.
In the bottom of the frame, the Crusaders did their best to erase the UE lead. Following a leadoff double, Valpo loaded the bases with no outs on a hit batter and a walk. Morgan Florey never wavered in the circle and quickly regrouped to strike out the next three batters and keep the Crusaders off the board.
They were finally able to get through in the seventh with a pair of runs. They had the tying run on second, but the 15thstrikeout of the day by Florey was the biggest as she clinched the 3-2 Evansville victory.
Next up, the Aces are home for four games this week. UE welcomes Indiana State to Cooper Stadium on Tuesday for a 5 p.m. game before playing host to Southern Illinois next weekend in a 3-game set.
