VALPARAISO | Valparaiso scored five runs in the sixth inning against Chesterton, but it wasn't enough to pull out a win Wednesday night.
The Trojans defeated the Vikings, 10-5, after CHS pitcher Megan Tymorek struck out three of Valparaiso's six final batters.
"I would call our performance today gutsy," Valparaiso coach Tracy Corneil said. "Our pitching staff is sick and injured, and Ashley (Kleist) stepped up and did a nice job. From the hitter's standpoint, we just gutted back. We made a comeback that was fantastic. I'm proud of them."
The Vikings (5-9) quickly found themselves down 5-0 after the third inning. Tymorek hit a two run home run to center field that also scored Shelby Carter. It was Tymorek's third home run of the year.
"That was a monster. Once she hit the bat on it I said, "That's out," Chesterton coach LouAnn Hopson said.
Sydney Cooley and Mallory McKee each hit doubles that brought in a run apiece to put the Trojans up 4-0. Sarah Richards ground out to second that scored Cooley to end the third inning with Chesterton leading 5-0.
"Chesterton is an extremely good hitting team. We knew they would hit the ball very well," Corneil said. "I was encouraging the pitcher (Kleist) to stick to her spots and stay true to those and keep them off balance. For a while there she did pretty well, but Chesterton caught up."
The Trojans (8-6, 4-2 DAC) added another run in the fifth on a Richards sacrifice fly that scored Megan Matheny. Chesterton scored three runs in the sixth inning, including a Tymorek single to left field that scored Shelby Carter.
The bottom of the sixth inning saw the Vikings score five runs. After Laura Gruszka was walked, Ashley Kleist hit an infield single to put two runners on base. Kathy Minko then hit an infield single to center, scoring Gruzka to give the Vikings their first score of the game.
Clarisse Fletcher, Molly Grant and Amber Timmerman all singled for the Vikings, allowing three runners to score and cut the Trojan lead 9-4.
"She had a couple of pitches that quit working on her, but she was throwing them anyway," Hopson said. "We've talked about this before, about in the last inning putting runners on. Even though it wasn't the last inning this time, it was near the end of the game."
Chesterton scored another run in the seventh. Howard struck out, but Jordan Waddling was able to come in for the score. The Vikings had two ground outs and a strike out to end the game.
Tymorek pitched all seven innings for the Trojans and allowed six hits. She struck out five and allowed one walk. She had three hits, three RBIs and scored two runs.
Kleist had one strike out and one walk in six innings of play for the Vikings, while giving up nine runs and eight hits.
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