Valparaiso University's 2006 baseball schedule is set, and the Crusaders will open with 11 straight games away from Emory G. Bauer field as head coach Paul Twenge announced his season's slate.

The Crusaders will open the 2006 campaign with a three-game weekend set at Austin Peay March 3-5 before heading to Bradenton, Fla. for a spring trip that will see the Brown and Gold play six games in seven days.

Valpo's home season is slated to open March 22 against IPFW. Non-conference foes South Dakota State, Illinois-Chicago, North Dakota State, and Northern Illinois are some of the other featured teams making a visit to Emory G. Bauer Field as well.

The Crusaders are also hosting Indiana on May 10 at U.S. Steel Yard in Gary, Ind., keeping with the recent tradition of playing at the home of the Gary SouthShore RailCats.

The Brown and Gold also have road non-conference tilts against Indiana, Notre Dame, Indiana State, Ball State, Northwestern, Bradley, Purdue, and Western Michigan as some of their opponents in 2006.

The Mid-Continent Conference season opens April 7-8 at Southern Utah before defending champion Oral Roberts visits the following weekend. The season will close at Western Illinois May 19-20 before the Crusaders head to Tulsa, Okla. for the Mid-Con Tournament May 25-27.