Valparaiso, Ind. -- Senior McKenzie Bedra and freshman Rochelle Vanyi tied the Youngstown State single-season home run record but the Penguins softball team (11-31, 5-14 Horizon League) dropped a 13-5 decision to Valparaiso (29-15, 11-4) on Sunday afternoon at the VU Softball Field.

    Bedra and Vanyi each tallied their 10th home run of the season and tied the mark set by Liz Holt (2003) and by junior Kristen McDonnell (2006).

    The Penguins also set the team season record with 36 home runs and tied the single-game home run mark with four against the Crusaders. Besides Bedra and Vanyi, McDonnell and freshman Katy Potokar each homered against Valpo.

    Bedra and McDonnell hit back-to-back two-out home runs in the top of the first inning to give the Penguins a 3-0 lead. Rochelle Vanyi led off the game with a single to left-center field and scored on Bedra's two-run blast.

    The Crusaders knotted the game at 3-3 with a three-run frame in the bottom half of the first.

    Potokar gave the Penguins a 4-3 edge with her fourth home run of the season - a solo shot - in the top of the third inning.

    The Crusaders put up a four spot in the bottom of the inning to take a 7-4 lead.

    Vanyi led off the top of the fifth inning with her 10th home run of the year to bring the Guins within three, 8-5.

    The Crusaders added two in the bottom of the fifth and three more in the sixth to enforce the mercy rule.

    YSU visits Pittsburgh, Tuesday, April 29, at 2 p.m.