Crusaders Edge Past UIC, 4-3, in Game 5 of Horizon League Championship

In Game 5 of the 2010 Horizon League Softball Championship, Valparaiso (34-20) defeated UIC (22-35), 4-3, to advance to Game 8 where they await the winner of No. 5 Green Bay vs. No. 6 Butler. UIC is eliminated from the tournament after suffering its second loss.

Valpo lit up the scoreboard first as sophomore Sara Strickland stole home on a UIC throwing error in the top of the first inning.  On the very next series, teammate Joylyn Ichiyama trotted home on a fielder choice, giving the Crusader’s an early 2-0 edge.

In the bottom of the first, the Flames brought the score to a 2-1 tally with a solo blast from catcher Stephanie Chavez, her sixth of the season.

UIC took over the lead, 3-2, as sophomore Shannon Kehr belted her 13th homer of the season on a two-run knock in the bottom of the third inning.

Unfortunately for the Flames, the lead only lasted one-half inning after Valpo’s Jennifer Hermanson rocked her third home run of the season on a two-run shot to straightaway center. Valparaiso held on to the 4-3 lead for the remainder of the contest.

Game 6 features No. 5 Green Bay against No. 6 Butler for the right to play the Crusaders in Game 8, which is scheduled to start at 4:30 p.m. ET.