Unlucky Bounce Costs Beacons in Series Opener at UIC

The Valparaiso University baseball team got home runs from Carson Husmann (Hanna, Ind. / South Central [Bradley]) and Alex Ryan, (Lake Mills, Wis. / Lakeside Lutheran) but host UIC prevailed 8-6 at Curtis Granderson Stadium in Chicago on a rainy Friday afternoon. An unlucky bounce changed the complexion of the game as Valpo would have tied the game at seven on a double by Husmann in the eighth, but the ball hopped over the wall for a ground-rule double and the runner from first was forced to hold at third, where he was eventually stranded.


Baseball Beacons Face Off with All-Time Most Frequent Opponent This Weekend

The Valparaiso University baseball team will return to the road after back-to-back home weekends with the short journey to UIC for a three-game weekend series that is scheduled to begin under the lights on Friday night in Chicago. Every game is big for the Beacons as they need to make up ground in the race to qualify for the conference tournament, but there is still plenty of baseball to be played with four regular-season series remaining.


NIU Walks Off with Win in High-Scoring Midweek Matchup

A low-scoring game early evolved into a slugfest in the late innings on a windy Tuesday afternoon in DeKalb, Ill. The Valparaiso University baseball team and Northern Illinois combined for 13 runs in the seventh and eighth innings alone in a game where the squads combined for 19 runs on 28 hits in total. On a day where it felt like the last at-bats may be significant, that proved to be the case as Northern Illinois won 10-9 on a walk-off homer in the bottom of the ninth.


Baseball Drops Rubber Match to Missouri State

The Valparaiso University baseball team gave up crooked numbers in each of the first two innings and could not recover in a 14-3 defeat to Missouri State on Sunday afternoon at Emory G. Bauer Field. Alex Ryan (Lake Mills, Wis. / Lakeside Lutheran) and Kyle Schmack (Wantah, Ind. / South Central) both belted bombs for the Beacons.


Late-Inning Rally Not Enough This Time as Bears Fend off Beacons

For the second straight day, Brady Renfro (Antigo, Wis. / Antigo) delivered an extra-base knock in Valpo’s final opportunity at the plate, but this time his two-run double was not enough as the Beacons stranded the potential tying run in scoring position in an 8-6 loss to Missouri State on Saturday afternoon at Emory G. Bauer Field. The Bears trotted out four different relievers in the bottom of the ninth alone but eventually recorded the final out to even the series at one victory apiece.


Renfro Delivers Walk-Off Blast as Beacons Beat Bears in Instant Classic

An incredible game got the incredible ending it deserved on Friday afternoon – or should we say, evening – at Emory G. Bauer Field.


Beacons, Bears to Clash in Big Series This Weekend

The Valparaiso University baseball team will play an important series in the Missouri Valley Conference standings as Missouri State makes its way to Emory G. Bauer Field for three this weekend. Valpo enters the weekend just a game behind the Bears and Bradley, who are tied for eighth in the MVC standings. Since eight teams make the league tournament, a series win over the Bears could go a long way to putting Valpo in position to make the tournament field. This continues a home-heavy stretch as Valpo plays its second straight home weekend and continues a month-long period without a hotel stay.


Notre Dame Nips Valpo in One-Run Affair

The Valparaiso University baseball team gave host Notre Dame just about all it could handle, but the Fighting Irish fended off the Beacons for a 7-6 victory on Tuesday at Frank Eck Stadium in Notre Dame, Ind. Carson Husmann (Hanna, Ind. / South Central [Bradley]) hit a late three-run shot for the Beacons.


Valpo to Clash with Instate Foe Notre Dame on Tuesday

The Valparaiso University baseball team will make the short trip east to face off with instate foe Notre Dame in Tuesday’s midweek matchup. The Beacons will attempt to get back in the road win column as they try to bring an 11-game road skid to a halt. Valpo head coach Brian Schmack is seeking his 200th career win on Tuesday.


Belmont Takes Rubber Match of Weekend Series

The Valparaiso University baseball team dropped Sunday’s rubber match to Belmont 15-8 on a sunny and warm Sunday afternoon at Emory G. Bauer Field. Kyle Schmack (Wanatah, Ind. / South Central) and Carson Husmann (Hanna, Ind. / South Central [Bradley]) slugged ninth-inning home runs, but it was too little too late in a game where Belmont built up a 10-run lead by the fifth inning.


Baseball Rallies for Balk-Off Win Over Belmont

The path to get there may not have been how the Valparaiso University baseball team drew it up, but Saturday’s result was exactly what the Beacons needed as the team came from 7-0 down to beat Belmont 10-9, snapping a five-game losing streak and leveling this weekend’s series at one victory apiece. Valpo walked off with three runs in the bottom of the ninth, including a game-ending balk as Carson Husmann (Hanna, Ind. / South Central [Bradley]) broke for the plate as the pitcher began his windup, leading to the balk that sent Valpo into celebration mode on a sunny and pleasant day at Emory G. Bauer Field.


Husmann Homers, Beacons Walk Away with Little to Show for 11 Walks

The Valparaiso University baseball team had plenty of action on the base paths early in Friday’s series opener against Belmont, but the Beacons did not crack the hit column until Carson Husmann (Hannah, Ind. / South Central [Bradley]) lifted a solo homer in the seventh in a 9-2 defeat at Emory G. Bauer Field on Friday. The Beacon batters showed plenty of patience at the plate against Belmont’s Will Pryor as he issued nine walks and hit a batter over three innings, but could not cash in on those chances on a rainy and miserable afternoon where the wind was howling out to right field.


Valpo to Begin Home-Heavy Stretch vs. Belmont

The Valparaiso University baseball team will look to continue its home success as the Beacons attempt to build upon a 3-1 Emory G. Bauer Field record during this weekend’s three-game series against Belmont. This starts a home-heavy stretch for the Beacons as three of the next four Missouri Valley Conference series will be at home and the one road weekend will be comprised of three one-day trips to UIC. The road-weary Beacons are in the midst of a welcome change of pace as they are just beginning a stretch of over a month between hotel stays.


Renfro, Ryan Homer in Home State on Tuesday

The Valparaiso University baseball team jumped out to an early 3-0 lead thanks in part to home runs by Alex Ryan (Lake Mills, Wis. / Lakeside Lutheran) and Brady Renfro (Antigo, Wis. / Antigo) in their return to their home state, but host Milwaukee scored seven unanswered to win 7-3 at Franklin Field in Franklin, Wis. on Tuesday. Valpo outhit Milwaukee 11-7 and six of the team’s 11 hits went for extra bases.


Turzenski to Start as Valpo Visits Milwaukee for Midweek

The Valparaiso University baseball team will tangle with a former conference foe on Tuesday as the Beacons battle Milwaukee at Franklin Field in Franklin, Wis. These two teams were scheduled to get together last week at Emory G. Bauer Field, but that game was canceled due to rain and field conditions.


Valpo Drops Finale in Normal

The Valparaiso University baseball team fell 6-0 to host Illinois State in Sunday’s series finale in Normal, Ill. Bryce Konitzer (Mukwonago, Wis. / Mukwonago [Oakland]) did not allow a run over his three innings of relief, providing a bright spot for the Beacons. The game was played after a long rain delay on a windy, cold and wet day in Central Illinois.


Lockwood Outdueled as Redbirds Prevail on Saturday

Pitching and defense ruled the day for both teams, but Illinois State was a smidge better as Tyrelle Chadwick outdueled Valpo starter Connor Lockwood (Libertyville, Ill. / Libertyville) on a day where all of the hosts’ scoring came in the third inning. Valpo pushed across a single run in the eighth but couldn’t fully break through in a 3-1 setback on Saturday in Normal, Ill. All 16 hits in the game were singles as neither squad produced an extra-base knock.


Maka Homers in Series-Opening Setback

The Valparaiso University baseball team fell to Illinois State 11-1 in seven innings on Friday in the opening game of a three-game Missouri Valley Conference series in Normal, Ill. Ryan Maka homered to provide a bright spot for the Beacons.


Baseball Beacons to Visit Illinois State This Weekend

The Valparaiso University baseball team will return to the road this weekend for a three-game series at Illinois State beginning on Friday evening. After this trip, the Beacons will grow more accustomed to sleeping in their own beds, as they will have over a month before their next overnight travel. But first they will look to take care of business on the road in another important Missouri Valley Conference series at Duffy Bass Field.


Weather Impacts Midweek Baseball Schedule

Tuesday’s scheduled Valparaiso University baseball game vs. Milwaukee has been canceled due to rain and unplayable field conditions.


Lockwood Named MVC Pitcher of the Week

After throwing a complete game in Saturday’s 9-2 win over Bradley, Valparaiso University baseball pitcher Connor Lockwood (Libertyville, Ill. / Libertyville) has been named the Missouri Valley Conference Pitcher of the Week.


Beacons Blitz Braves on Easter Sunday at the Yard

It was a Happy Easter indeed for the Valparaiso University baseball team as the Beacons downed visiting Bradley 13-2 in seven innings in a game that lasted under two hours on Sunday afternoon at Emory G. Bauer Field. Valpo put up four runs in the third and broke it wide open with a “touchdown” in the fourth on a day where Carson Husmann (Hanna, Ind. / South Central [Bradley]) delivered a bases-clearing double against his former team and Kyle Schmack (Wanatah, Ind. / South Central) spanked yet another home run to help Valpo to its most lopsided Missouri Valley Conference victory since joining the league.


Lockwood Goes Distance as Big Eighth Inning Helps Valpo Over Bradley

After a brief start to open the series on Friday, an extended outing from Saturday’s starting pitcher was just what the doctor ordered for the Valparaiso University baseball team. Connor Lockwood (Libertyville, Ill. / Libertyville) delivered that in a big way, going the distance in a 9-2 victory over Bradley on Saturday afternoon at Emory G. Bauer Field. The Beacons took the lead with two in the seventh and then pulled away by scoring a half a dozen in the eighth.


Braves Take Series Opener from Beacons

A first-inning offensive explosion that transformed into a pitchers’ duel thereafter saw the Valparaiso University baseball team drop the series opener against visiting Bradley 6-4 on Friday afternoon at Emory G. Bauer Field. The Valpo bullpen performed well after entering the game in the second inning, but a four-run first for the guests proved pivotal in the game’s outcome.


Valpo to Host First Home Set of Season vs. Bradley

The Valparaiso University baseball team will host its first home weekend series of the season as the league portion of the Emory G. Bauer Field docket gets underway when the Beacons welcome Bradley for an Easter Weekend set. Valpo will attempt to repeat its success from last season against the Braves and get back on track after the opening weekend of conference play at Southern Illinois. Valpo will play four straight at home after having played just one home game out of 23 contests thus far.


Valpo Edged by No. 7 Vandy in Midweek Matchup

The Valparaiso University baseball pitching staff kept the lineup of one of the nation’s top teams mostly in check, but No. 7 Vanderbilt edged out a 3-2 victory on Tuesday night at Hawkins Field in Nashville, Tenn. Valpo pitchers racked up 12 strikeouts including six in 2 2/3 innings from freshman lefty Lucas Foley (Deer Park, Ill. / Lake Zurich).


Valpo to Visit No. 7 Vandy on Tuesday

The Valparaiso University baseball team will wrap up a four-game, six-day road trip on Tuesday evening as the Beacons take the field at No. 7 Vanderbilt for a midweek tilt. After playing three Missouri Valley Conference games at Southern Illinois in Carbondale, Ill. over the weekend, Valpo traveled directly to Nashville to close out the road swing with the team’s seventh game this season against top-25 competition.


Valpo Outhits SIU for Second Time in Series, Drops Finale in Carbondale

The Valparaiso University baseball team held the advantage in the hit column for the second time in this weekend’s three-game series, but host Southern Illinois prevailed 9-5 in Sunday’s series finale despite being outhit 10-7 at Itchy Jones Stadium in Carbondale, Ill. The free-base battle plagued the Beacons in this one as Valpo pitching issued nine walks while SIU hurlers walked none.


Alex Ryan Homers in Saturday Setback to Salukis

Host Southern Illinois hit four home runs to right field on a day where the wind was blowing out to right and the ball was carrying in that direction at Itchy Jones Stadium in Carbondale, Ill. on their way to beating the Valparaiso University baseball team 13-1 in eight innings. Alex Ryan (Lake Mills, Wis. / Lakeside Lutheran) ripped a home run to left to account for the Beacon tally.


Valpo Threatens Late But Can’t Overcome Early Deficit in MVC Opener

The Valparaiso University baseball team created numerous prime chances late in the game, but couldn’t fully break through in a 6-4 setback to Southern Illinois in Friday’s Missouri Valley Conference opener in Carbondale, Ill. The Beacons were down 5-0 through two innings but scored single tallies in four of the final five frames to creep back into the game. Valpo flashed the leather throughout with several nifty plays while playing errorless ball.


Valpo Baseball to Open MVC Slate at SIU

The Missouri Valley Conference portion of the season gets underway this weekend as the Valparaiso University baseball team travels to Southern Illinois to clash with the Salukis. After recently returning from an 18-day, 11-game road trip over spring break, the Beacons will embark on another six-day journey as this trip will continue on to Nashville for a midweek matchup with nationally-ranked Vanderbilt after the weekend in Carbondale. Valpo enters this trip ranked No. 62 in the latest RPI.


Valpo Athletics Weekly: Baseball (3/20/24)

Longtime head baseball coach Brian Schmack joined Brandon Vickrey for this week's edition of Valpo Athletics Weekly presented by Lakeshore Bone & Joint. They discuss how he's built a program with so many four- and five-year players in the transfer portal era, the return to the mound of Connor Lockwood, the career ascension of Kyle Schmack and more.


Schmack’s Birthday Blasts Propel Valpo to Victorious Home Opener

Hitting a home run on his 21st birthday in 2022 was nice, but Valparaiso University baseball fifth-year senior Kyle Schmack (Wanatah, Ind. / South Central) had an even bigger gift in store for Beacon fans as he celebrated his 23rd birthday on Tuesday. Lucky for opposing pitchers, Valpo did not play on Schmack’s 22nd birthday last season, but he made up for it in Tuesday’s home opener at Emory G. Bauer Field, going deep twice in a 9-6 victory over Ball State. The Beacons overcame a 5-0 deficit to come away victorious.


Baseball to Open Home Slate on Tuesday

At long last, the Valparaiso University baseball team will take the field at home on Tuesday afternoon as instate foe Ball State makes its way to Emory G. Bauer Field for a midweek matchup. The Beacons, who rank 69th in the RPI, returned to Valparaiso late Sunday / early Monday after an 18-day, 11-game spring break excursion that saw Valpo tour the south and face off with warm-weather opponents. The team’s home opener comes after a season-opening stretch of 18 straight games away from home. This will also mark the final tune-up prior to Missouri Valley Conference play, which begins on Friday as a three-game series at Southern Illinois gets going in Carbondale.


Valpo Closes Spring Trip with High-Scoring Affair at No. 21 Campbell

The Valparaiso University baseball team continued to show an ability to pile up runs against a nationally-ranked opponent, but No. 21 Campbell rode a 10-run fifth inning to an 18-7, seven-inning victory in Sunday’s series finale in Buies Creek, N.C. Kyle Schmack (Wanatah, Ind. / South Central) homered in his father Brian’s 500th game as Valpo head coach, while Kevin Denty (Tinley Park, Ill. / Marian Catholic) collected a team-high two hits.


Ryan Rips Two Homers in Defeat at No. 21 Campbell

Senior Alex Ryan (Lake Mills, Wis. / Lakeside Lutheran) smoked two home runs to provide a highlight, but the Valparaiso University baseball team dropped the middle game of this weekend’s series at No. 21 Campbell 13-4 on Saturday in Buies, Creek, N.C. Two big innings by a potent Camel offense proved to be the difference in the game as the hosts bookended their offensive day with big frames, scoring six times in the first and five in the eighth.


Valpo Edged by No. 21 Campbell on Walk-Off Homer

The Valparaiso University baseball team certainly held its own against a top-25 opponent, but No. 21 Campbell came from behind twice and won a topsy-turvy game 10-9 on a walk-off home run in Friday’s series opener in Buies Creek, N.C. The Beacons held leads of 5-1 and 9-5 against the Fighting Camels on a day where Kyle Schmack (Wanatah, Ind. / South Central) went 3-for-3 and reached base five times.


Beacons to Face Nationally-Ranked Camels This Weekend

The Valparaiso University baseball team has reached the final stop of a 19-day, 11-game journey as the Beacons have arrived in Buies Creek, N.C. for a three-game weekend series with No. 21 Campbell. This also closes a stretch of 18 straight games away from home to begin the season before Valpo finally opens up the home portion of the slate on Tuesday afternoon at Emory G. Bauer Field. Valpo, ranked 66th in the RPI, has held its own through 15 games with a nearly .500 record with almost every game coming on the road against warm-weather competition. The Beacons are 5-3 on this spring-break road trip with three games to play.


Solid Day on the Mound, Three-Run Ninth Help Valpo Past Gardner-Webb

The Valparaiso University baseball team received a solid start from Kaleb Krier (Altoona, Iowa / Southeast Polk [DMACC]) and the bullpen did good work, helping the Beacons capture a 5-2 road win over Gardner-Webb on Tuesday in Boiling Springs, N.C. Valpo hurlers did not issue a walk in the win.


Gardner-Webb On Deck as Spring Trip Rolls On

The Valparaiso University baseball team will make its next stop on an 18-day, 11-game journey as the Beacons trek just over the South Carolina/North Carolina state line to clash with Gardner-Webb in a midweek matchup. Valpo holds a solid 4-3 record over the first seven games of the spring break trip, which comes all on the road and all against warm-weather competition.


Valpo Posts a Dozen Hits in Setback at The Citadel

Five hitters in the Valparaiso University batting order enjoyed multi-hit games, but host The Citadel prevailed 10-6 on Sunday to fend off the series sweep in Charleston, S.C. Kyle Schmack (Wanatah, Ind. / South Central) homered to contribute to an offense that racked up 12 hits in the series finale.


Valpo Takes Doubleheader from The Citadel on Eventful Day on the Diamond

Name something you love to see on the baseball diamond, and chances are it happened on Friday in Charleston, S.C.


Valpo Baseball to Make Next Stop of Spring Trip at The Citadel

A stretch of 19 straight days on the road during spring break for the Valparaiso University baseball team continues this weekend as the program’s annual spring trip makes its next stop in Charleston, S.C. for a three-game weekend series with The Citadel.


Beacons Rally in Ninth, Drop Heartbreaker in Walk-off Fashion

The Valparaiso University baseball team took the lead thanks to a clutch, go-ahead hit by Liam Patton (Barrington, Ill. / Warsaw [Wabash]) with two outs and two strikes in the top of the ninth, but host Jacksonville responded to Valpo’s three-run rally with two of their own in the bottom of the inning to walk off with a 6-5 victory in Tuesday’s midweek matchup in Jacksonville, Fla.


Baseball Edged by Binghamton to Close Weekend

The Valparaiso University baseball team was edged 3-2 by Binghamton on Sunday in a game hosted by Wake Forest in Winston-Salem, N.C. The Beacons still possessed a winning weekend after victories over Elon on Friday and Saturday.


Valpo Victorious for Second Straight Day at Elon

A day after defeating Elon ace and reigning Freshman All-American Justin Mitrovich on Friday, the Valparaiso University baseball team repeated its success against the Phoenix on Saturday, prevailing 7-5. Rain at Wake Forest led to a schedule change for this weekend’s event, and the Beacons took full advantage of the opportunity to once again face the Phoenix by finalizing a two-game sweep in Elon, N.C. against a team that won 33 games last season.


Denty’s Two-Homer Game Powers Valpo Past Elon

Freshman Kevin Denty (Tinley Park, Ill. / Marian Catholic) went deep twice while the team slugged three home runs on Friday as the Valparaiso University baseball team opened its spring trip with a 9-4 victory over Elon in North Carolina. Chase Maifield (Fox Lake, Ill. / Grant [Augustana]) also drilled a three-run shot on a day where newcomers accounted for three Beacon blasts.


Baseball to Begin Spring Trip with Wake Forest Tournament

The annual spring trip has arrived for the Valparaiso University baseball team as the Beacons will spend 19 consecutive days on the road as the team departs on Wednesday, Feb. 28 and returns to Valpo’s campus after a game at Campbell on Sunday, March 17. The first weekend of the spring trip features a tournament in North Carolina. Valpo will start the weekend by playing at Elon on Friday before visiting the No. 1 team in the nation – Wake Forest – on Saturday afternoon. The three-game event will wrap up on Sunday morning as Valpo battles Binghamton in a game hosted by Wake Forest in Winston-Salem, N.C.


Baseball Beacons Drop Series Finale at No. 17 Alabama

The Valparaiso University baseball team closed out a three-game series at No. 17 Alabama on Sunday afternoon in Tuscaloosa. The Beacons once again struck first with a first-inning tally, but the Crimson Tide prevailed 11-1 in seven innings.


Schmack Homers, Doubles in Loss at No. 17 Alabama

The Valparaiso University baseball team jumped ahead with two runs in the first, but No. 17 Alabama responded with seven in their half of the inning on its way to a 13-3, seven-inning victory over the Beacons on Saturday in Tuscaloosa, Ala.


Baseball Falls to Nationally-Ranked Alabama in Series Opener

The Valparaiso University baseball team dropped the series opener to No. 17 Alabama on Friday by a score of 14-2 in Tuscaloosa, Ala. The Crimson Tide put together four crooked numbers en route to invoking the 10-run rule after seven innings.


Nationally-Ranked Foe Awaits Baseball This Weekend

The Valparaiso University baseball team will be right back in The Heart of Dixie this weekend as the Beacons continue a season-opening stretch of seven straight games in the state of Alabama. This time, Valpo will visit the nationally-ranked Crimson Tide for a three-game weekend series in Tuscaloosa.


Schmack Hits Early Home Run in Series-Closing Defeat to Alabama State

The Valparaiso University baseball team jumped ahead early as Kyle Schmack (Wanatah, Ind. / South Central) cracked a first-inning home run, but it was all Alabama State thereafter as the host Hornets buzzed by the Beacons 9-1 on Sunday to salvage a split in a four-game series that was highlighted by Valpo’s doubleheader sweep on Saturday in Montgomery, Ala.


Starting Pitching Shines as Valpo Sweeps Doubleheader from Alabama State

The Valparaiso University baseball team received stellar starting pitching performances in both games of a doubleheader, downing host Alabama State 8-2 in the opener before breaking through late to win the nightcap 8-1 in Montgomery, Ala. The victories came over a Hornets’ team that won their conference’s regular-season title and won 41 games last season.


Beacons Launch Three Home Runs, Alabama State Takes Series Opener

After hitting 50 home runs last season to mark the program’s highest total since 2001, the Valparaiso University baseball team picked up right where it left off by launching three big flies on Opening Night as the season got underway on Friday in Montgomery, Ala. Host Alabama State pulled away to beat the Beacons 16-5 in eight innings.


Baseball to Open Season at Alabama State

The 2024 Valparaiso University baseball season will get underway this weekend with a four-game series at Alabama State in Montgomery, Ala. The set will open on Friday night before the two teams double up on Saturday and close out the series with a Sunday matinee. This begins a challenging nonconference schedule for the Brown & Gold including a season-opening stretch of 18 straight games away from Emory G. Bauer Field.


Season Preview: Beacon Baseball Set to Toss Out First Pitch of 2024

With the bulk of the starting lineup back from a team that took a step forward in 2023, optimism is high at Emory G. Bauer Field as the Valparaiso University baseball team gets set to embark upon the 2024 season.


Ryan Maka Named to Preseason All-MVC Squad

Valparaiso University baseball junior outfielder Ryan Maka (Oak Forest, Ill. / Oak Forest) was named to the Preseason All-Missouri Valley Conference team, which was announced by the league office on Tuesday.


Valpo Baseball Reveals 2024 Schedule

The Valparaiso University baseball team has revealed its schedule for the 2024 season, which will begin on Feb. 16 as the Beacons swing into action with a four-game series at Alabama State.


Valpo Baseball to Host Fall Prospect Camp

Valparaiso University’s baseball team will hold its Fall Prospect Camp on Oct. 15, 2023 at Emory G Bauer Field. Players in high school graduating classes of 2024-2027 are invited to attend.


Valpo Baseball to Hold Open Tryout on Aug. 29

The Valparaiso University baseball team will hold walk-on tryouts for the 2024 roster on Tuesday, Aug. 29. Tryouts will start at 5 p.m. at Emory G. Bauer Field.


Valpo Baseball Achieves ABCA Team Academic Excellence Award

The Valparaiso University baseball program has been recognized for its academic success by the American Baseball Coaches Association (ABCA) as a Team Academic Excellence Award winner.