The Youngstown State softball team dropped a pair of Horizon League games to Valparaiso, 4-3, and 13-12, on Saturday afternoon at the VU Softball Field.

In the first game, the Penguins seventh inning rally came up just short. Meanwhile in the nightcap, the Guins jumped out to a commanding 12-0 advantage after two innings only to see the Crusaders chip away at the lead and eventually overcome the deficit with a walk-off single in the bottom of the seventh inning.

YSU (21-11-1, 5-6 Horizon League) sent 15 batters to the plate and collected eight of their 13 hits to take an 11-0 lead after one-half inning.

They tacked on an unearned run in the top of the second when senior Kristen Philen scored on a Crusader error.

Valparaiso (27-10, 11-0 HL), who was aided by 11 walks, chipped away at the YSU advantage scoring four in the third, three in the fourth, four more in the fifth and one in both the sixth and seventh innings to complete the improbable comeback victory.

Senior Haley Thomas went 3-for-5 with two RBIs to lead the Penguins offensive attack while senior Jordan Ingalls and sophomore Samantha Snodgrass each had two hits.

In the opener, the Crusaders scored three runs in the bottom of the sixth inning to break a 1-1 tie and take a 4-1.

The Guins mounted a comeback attempt and plated two runs on Amanda Palmore‘s run-scoring fielder’s choice and Jordan Ingalls’ RBI-double. The Penguins, though, left the tying run stranded on second base.

Jordan Ingalls and sophomore Sarah Ingalls each had two hits for the Guins.

YSU and Valparaiso will conclude the series with a single game, Sunday, at Noon.

*Story courtesy of YSU Sports Information.