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MENTONE - Make no jokes about it, but the sun literally set on the Tippecanoe Valley softball team's hopes of pulling out a victory in its Tuesday home opener against Goshen.
The Vikings fell to 0-2 with the 17-5 six-inning loss.
The game, set for 4:30 p.m., was because Goshen had transportation problems and did not leave school until nearly 4 p.m.
Valley right-handed pitcher Sabrina Newsome held the Redskins scoreless for the first two innings before giving up one run in the top of the third. Valley's offense countered with Crystal Kirk and Tabitha Pratt being walked to put runners on first and second base.
Emily Jackson singled to load the bases before catcher Brooke Fisher was walked, producing the first Viking run. Pratt ended the inning by striking out, but not before Valley had crossed home plate five times to take a four-run lead.
Goshen's Crystal Gaskill singled in the top of the fourth and eventually stole home after Amanda Terharne scored. When the inning ended, Goshen had cut Valley's lead to one. Valley couldn't produce any offense in its half of the inning, and things went downhill from there.
"Mentally we weren't in the game," said Valley coach Lori Busenburg. "We played better in the first game. We made errors that we shouldn't have. We know better than that. We can play better."
For the game the Vikings committed four fielding errors while scoring five runs on just three hits. The Redskins, on the other hand, made no errors in the field and scored their 17 runs on 11 hits. Neki Silvens led Goshen going 3 for 4. Nicole Sheeley was 2 for 3 on the afternoon. Valley's three hits came from Jackson, Fisher and Mary Martin. Carmen Shetler picked up the win on the mound. Newsome was the losing pitcher for the Vikings.
Goshen produced 13 runs in the last two innings of the game before it was called because of darkness. After the sun went down and Goshen's offense had risen Busenburg was asked if she would like the game to continue, she said yes. After the game she said she knew she might get criticised for her move but needed to use the opportuninty to her advantage.
"We had a young catcher out there towards the end," said Busenburg. "I felt it was a good opportunity to get her and some of our other young players some experience. This is a big learning experience. We started a sophomore at third base and a freshman in centerfield. We have a lot of underclassmen. To be successful they have to step up. They have some big shoes to fill and they have to do it in a hurry."
Valley (0-2) will play at Winamac tonight at 4:45 p.m.
"The kids have to forget about tonight (Tuesday) and come mentally prepared to make some plays," said Busenburg when asked what her team had to do to get ready to come back and play tonight. "One game won't make or break a season, they have to forget today (Tuesday)."
