Detroit vs. Valparaiso Game 3 Stats (HTML)

Valparaiso consistently found the gaps in the outfield Saturday afternoon as the Titans and Crusaders finished off their three-game series at Buysse Ballpark, and Detroit surrendered seven extra-base hits in a 16-1 loss.

Detroit (2-16, 0-6 Horizon League) freshman pitcher Anny Bondy (Newport, MI/Carleton-Airport) got the start in the pitcher's circle and was just a pitch away from retiring Valparaiso (23-7, 5-0 Horizon League) in the first inning, but Crusader's catcher Jordan Rutkowski managed to work from trailing 1-2 in the count to draw a walk, and Sadie Conner and Kelsey Phalen followed with back-to-back doubles. By the time the Titans recorded the third out, one more run had come in to score and the Valpo lead stood at 3-0.

But UDM got off to a good start of their own. Junior Stefanie Morong (Ludington, MI/Mason County Central) drew a lead off walk and made her way to second on a sacrifice bunt from sophomore third baseman Renee Zaccagni (Macomb, MI/Dakota). Senior center fielder Erica Houthoofd (Unionville, MI/Unionville-Sebewaing Area) was next up to the plate and drilled a double to left center, bringing Morong around to score. Senior catcher Jessica Liebner (Ortonville, MI/Brandon) reached first on an error by the Valpo shortstop and Detroit looked to be in great shape to put up some more runs with runners on first and second and only one out, but a well-struck line drive by sophomore shortstop Rachel Copple (Dearborn Hts., MI/Allen Park Cabrini) was snagged by the Crusaders first baseman who simply had to turn around and touch first base to complete the unassisted double play and thwart the Titans' scoring opportunity.

Bondy made quick work of Valparaiso in the top of the second inning, bringing UDM back to the plate still trailing, 3-1. Freshman right fielder Katie Schaus (Unionville, MI/Unionville-Sebewaing Area) was first to the plate, and knocked her second double of the season before advancing to third on a perfectly placed sacrifice bunt from senior left fielder Brigid Mulroy (West Bloomfield, MI/Marian). But Valpo pitcher Sam McGee got out of the jam, striking out Bondy and getting sophomore second baseman Melissa Barrett (Taylor, MI/Kennedy) to pop out harmlessly to third base.

The Crusaders tacked on three in the third thanks to a Jessie Marinec triple that plated two runs. After Bondy walked the lead off batter in the fourth inning, Morong came on in relief, and Valpo put up a pair of runs on three hits. But it was the fifth inning where Valpo pulled away. Leading, 8-1, to start the fifth frame, Valparaiso hit two grand slams to push eight runs across the plate and storm out to a commanding 16-1 advantage.

Detroit refused to go down quietly in the bottom of the inning. After a fly out to center field, Morong and Zaccagni notched consecutive base hits up the middle, giving the Titans runners at the corners with just one out. But, once again, Valpo pitching worked out of the jam, coaxing the next two batters to ground out, and ending the game.

Bondy took the loss for Detroit, falling to 2-7 on the season.

UDM continues league play Tuesday evening when the Titans will travel to Ohio for a three-game set with Cleveland State University (20-8, 1-1 Horizon League). The teams will square off for a doubleheader beginning at 5:00 p.m. Tuesday, and will play a single game at 1:00 p.m. Wednesday.