Softball: Bibeault K's 9 in Close Defeat

So close.

Hopatcong fell to Wallkill Valley, 3-2, in Hamburg on Wednesday. But things almost broke the Chiefs' way.

Kelsey Spaziani was 2-for-4 for Hopatcong, which had five other players record a hit. Spaziani and Angelica Torres each scored a run for the Chiefs.

But Sarah Henershot's 2-for-3 afternoon made WV too much to handle. She knocked in Abigail Stecher and scored on Andreanna Nordland's double as the Rangers grabbed a 3-1 third-inning lead.

It was all they'd need.

Hopatcong lead by one after the first frame's top half. But Wallkill Valley tied it up in the bottom half.

The Chiefs scored in the fifth, but couldn't keep the rally going for Hopatcong starting pitcher Hannah Bibeault, who threw seven tough innings. Bibeault allowed five hits, two walks and three runs while striking out a whopping nine.

But the Rangers' Kayla Brown was just a bit better. Brown gave up six hits, two runs—one earned— and two walks while striking out four over seven frames.

Each team committed a pair of errors.

Hopatcong faces Butler at 4 p.m. at home.