CLINTON, SC -- Fifth-year center fielder Trinity Spear went 3-for-4 with her second career home run, but the Morehead State Softball team's late two-run lead evaporated and the Eagles dropped their 2024 season opener 13-11 to Valparaiso Friday morning at Presbyterian's Pinnacle Invitational.
Freshman pitcher Addie Stem (0-1) took the loss in the circle for Morehead State (0-1), striking out three in 5.2 innings in her first collegiate appearance.
It was MSU's first win away from home since defeating Tennessee Tech on March 19, 2023, a stretch of 17 games. It also snapped a 16-game skid that ended the 2023 campaign.
Spear led the way offensively for the Eagles, going 3-for-4 with a double, her home run, a walk and three RBI. Junior Darlene Montoya put together a standout performance at the plate as well, going 2-for-4 with a double and two RBI. Freshman Sela Pickford also contributed, going 2-for-5 with a double and two RBI.
"Game one, we had some mental miscues on defense. We had a lot of offensive support and a good rally, but defense got us in the end," MSU coach Megan Griffith said. "Trinity hit a home run in that game. We had some very good base running as well. Several steals. Addie came in in relief and did a great job."
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Eagles were trailing 4-0 in the first inning when they first put runs on the board. Spear came across to score the lone run of the inning for Morehead State and get it on the board.
The Eagles' deficit grew to 6-1 before their offense got back on the scoreboard, cutting into that deficit in the second inning. MSU pushed across a run on Spear's two-out RBI double, which brought the score to 6-2 in favor of the Beacons.
Valparaiso expanded its lead to 7-2 before the MSU offense got back in action, overtaking the Beacons to grab a 9-7 advantage in the third. The Eagle bats heated up in the inning, scoring seven runs, including a two-run double off the bat of Pickford and a two-run single from senior Peyton Jordan.
Morehead State held the Beacons without a run before building on the lead in the fifth inning. The Eagles drove home a run on Spear's two-out solo dinger, bringing the score to 10-7 in favor of Morehead State.
Valparaiso then mounted a comeback, taking a 13-10 lead heading into the seventh, when the Eagles cut that deficit to 13-11. Freshman Maddy Christopher came across to score the lone run of the inning when Jordan reached on the Beacons' sixth error of the day.
GAME NOTES
» Spear led the Eagles, amassing three base hits in the ballgame.
» Morehead State's power output was led by Spear, who picked up two extra base hits in the ballgame.
» Spear and Jordan drove in three runs each for Morehead State.
» Morehead State's highest scoring inning was the third, when it pushed seven runs across.
» Morehead State pitchers faced 42 Valparaiso hitters in the game, allowing 12 ground balls and six fly balls while striking out three.
» The Eagles drew five walks from Valparaiso pitching.
» Valparaiso was led offensively by sophomore Kim Rodas, who went 2-for-4 with two doubles and three RBI.
» Sydney McDermott (1-2) led the Beacons' pitching staff, throwing 5.2 innings of four-run ball.
UP NEXT
Morehead State continues in the PC Pinnacle Invitational, playing host Presbyterian Friday later afternoon.
