UE takes 9-7 win on Saturday
EVANSVILLE, Ind. – Up by a score of 9-3 in the top of the seventh inning, the University of Evansville softball team overcame a 4-run rally by Valparaiso to finish with a 9-7 victory inside Tri-State Orthopaedics Field and James and Dorothy Cooper Stadium.
The Beacons plated four runs in the 7th with the Purple Aces regaining control thanks to a double play and a groundout to end the game. Zoe Frossard was a perfect 3-for-3 with two runs and a walk in the contest. Marah Wood was 2-3 with three RBI and a walk while Alexa Davis recorded a home run, two hits, two runs and three RBI.
Valparaiso plated the first run of the day, executing a steal of home to take a 1-0 lead. Evansville quickly got it going in the bottom of the frame. With one out, Zoe Frossard singled, Hannah Hood walked and Marah Wood turned a check swing into a base hit to load the bags for Jenna Nink. A patient at-bat resulted in a walk that would tie the game. Next up was Jess Willsey who hit a sacrifice fly to give the Purple Aces their first lead of the day.
Evansville did even more damage in the second, adding five runs to the lead. Taylor Howe reached on a leadoff double and crossed the plate on Lacy Smith’s single. Smith came home when Alexa Davis hit a ground rule double to right field. UE continued its offensive success, loading the bags for Marah Wood, who hit a bases clearing double to make it a 7-1 game.
Over the next two innings, the Beacons made their way back, adding single runs in the third and fourth frames to get within four. They threatened to add more in top half of the fifth, loading the bases before Megan Brenton pitched out of the jam with Willsey making a nice defensive play to end the threat.
In the 5th, it was Alexa Davis hitting one out of the park as her 2-run shot put the Aces in front 9-3. Valpo made a late comeback attempt in the 7th. Trailing by six runs, the Beacons scored four times and threatened to get even closer before a double play got the Aces back on track and relief pitcher Elle Jarrett got a ground out to end the game. Jarrett earned the save as she recorded the final three outs. Mikayla Jolly made the start and picked up her second win of the year. She allowed three runs on six hits in 3 2/3 frames.
Sunday’s series finale is set for a 12 p.m. first pitch.
