Macy Kirchenstien and Tippecanoe Valley couldn’t corral West Noble in a 5-2 loss at the Lakeland Softball Sectional. (File photo by Mike Deak)

LAGRANGE – Tippecanoe Valley couldn’t find the magic Monday night, falling to West Noble, 5-2, in the opening round of the Class 3-A Lakeland Softball Sectional.

After scoring two runs to open the game in the first, Valley managed just two base runners the rest of the way.

Ally Betten laced a two-run homer in the first, driving in Kirstyn Yoder to give the Vikes a quick lead over the Chargers. But Valley wouldn’t get another runner on until two outs in the fourth when Brayden Baney singled, but was later caught stealing to end the threat.

Betten would single in the seventh, but was picked off at first and the Vikes would go quietly the rest of the way.

Credit Kacee Click for keeping Valley under wraps, who recovered after the shaky first inning to allow just four total hits, walk none and strike out eight in the complete game.

The duo of Mayde Fear and Macy Kirchenstien gave up 10 hits to West Noble, but none bigger than a two-run homer to Click, which tied the game at two and pulled all the momentum from Valley’s early hands.

Jaden Hanna had two hits and two RBIs and Tori Franklin had two hits and three runs scored for the Chargers.

Valley checks out of the 2019 season at 5-18 while West Noble (11-12) will meet bitter rival Fairfield (16-9) in the second game Tuesday evening. Wawasee (14-10) and Lakeland (15-8) opening the day with a 5:30 p.m. start.