Valparaiso senior outfielder Karen Korb (Indianapolis, Ind./Lutheran) earned one last accolade for her stellar career both on the field and in the classroom on Wednesday, as she was selected as an ESPN the Magazine Third Team Academic All-American as voted upon by the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA).
Valparaiso and Loyola engaged in a slugfest Friday evening at the Horizon League Championships, with the lead changing hands on multiple occasions, but after tying the game with two outs in the top of the seventh, the Crusaders could not come out on top, as the Ramblers ended up earning a 10-9 win in eight innings. The loss concludes Valpo's record-setting season at 25-24.
Valparaiso scored in four of its five at-bats Friday morning, eventually downing Youngstown State by run rule, 10-2, in five innings in loser's bracket action at the Horizon League Championships in Pendleton, Ind. With the win, the Crusaders stay alive in the double-elimination tournament and move on to face Loyola at 3 p.m. CDT.
Valparaiso senior outfielder Karen Korb (Indianapolis, Ind./Lutheran) was named to the CoSIDA/ESPN the Magazine Academic All-District V First Team for a second straight year, as announced by CoSIDA today. Korb is now eligible for Academic All-American consideration.
Valparaiso led 4-1 entering the seventh inning of Thursday's first round game at the Horizon League Championships in Pendleton, Ind., but Green Bay struck for six runs in the top of the inning to earn a 7-4 victory.
Freshman Sara Strickland (Phoenix, Ariz./Horizon) was named Newcomer of the Year and represented Valparaiso on the All-League First Team as the Horizon League announced its award winners on Wednesday evening. Seniors Karen Korb (Indianapolis, Ind./Lutheran) and Ashley Wolter (Denver, Iowa/Denver) each were named to the All-League Second Team, while Joylyn Ichiyama (Torrance, Calif./Redondo Union) joined Strickland on the All-Newcomer Team.
Valparaiso enters the 2009 Horizon League Softball Championships as the sixth seed, opening the tournament with a matchup against seventh-seeded Green Bay on Thursday morning. The Crusaders are looking for their first postseason win as a member of the Horizon League.
The Valparaiso softball team will enter the 2009 Horizon League Championships as the sixth seed, the league announced today. The Crusaders will open the tournament against seventh-seeded Green Bay on Thursday, May 7 at 8 a.m. CDT in Pendleton, Ind.
Freshman Jordan Rutkowski (Alden, N.Y./Alden) went 3-for-3 at the plate and Valparaiso set a new program record for stolen bases in a single season, but it was not enough Sunday, as Cleveland State won by a 7-1 count in both team's regular season finale.
The Valparaiso softball team honored its four seniors on Senior Day following Saturday's doubleheader against Cleveland State, but the Vikings spoiled the day, taking the opener 6-2 before winning the nightcap 10-5.
For the third time this season and the fourth time in her career, Valparaiso senior outfielder Karen Korb (Indianapolis, Ind./Lutheran) has been honored by the Horizon League as its U.S. Army Female Scholar-Athlete of the Week.
Valparaiso's scheduled game on Thursday against #19/20 DePaul at the Valparaiso University Softball Field has been canceled due to forecasted rain throughout the day. The game will not be made up. Valpo will return to the field Saturday with a doubleheader against Cleveland State beginning at 2 p.m.
Valparaiso's scheduled home doubleheader against IPFW on Tuesday has been canceled due to wet field conditions from overnight rains. The games will not be made up. The ‘Think Pink' event, with breast cancer survivors in attendance and with $10 pink t-shirts available for purchase to benefit the Porter County Breast Cancer Society, will now be held this Sunday.
Valparaiso closes out the regular season with a flurry of home games this week, as the Crusaders will host seven contests over four dates. Non-league midweek twinbills against IPFW and nationally-ranked DePaul precede a three-game weekend series against league foe Cleveland State.
An Ashley Wolter (Denver, Iowa/Denver) grand slam in the first inning of the nightcap Thursday in Indianapolis set the tone, as Valparaiso rolled to a 12-2 victory over Butler. The Bulldogs earned a 3-2 victory in ten innings in the day's opener.
Valparaiso senior outfielder Karen Korb (Indianapolis, Ind./Lutheran) has been named the U.S. Army Horizon League Female Scholar-Athlete of the Week for the third time in her career.
Valparaiso led Butler 3-0 heading into the bottom of the seventh in Horizon League action Wednesday in Indianapolis, but the Bulldogs scored four runs in their last at-bat to steal a 4-3 victory from the Crusaders.
A busy schedule gets a bit calmer for Valparaiso this week, as the Crusaders have just one three-game series, a mid-week set in Indianapolis against Horizon League rival Butler that provides an opportunity for Valpo to move up the Horizon League standings. The series has been adjusted to allow time for the field to dry from recent rains, as Valpo and Butler will now play one game Wednesday before a doubleheader on Thursday.
The final game of Valparaiso's three-game weekend series at Green Bay has been canceled due to persistent precipitation Sunday in the area. The game will not be made up. Valpo returns to action on Wednesday, April 22 in Indianapolis with a doubleheader against Butler.
Freshman Sam McGee (Bloomington, Minn./Jefferson) dealt a five-hit shutout in the nightcap of a twinbill Saturday afternoon in Green Bay, Wis., as Valparaiso defeated the Phoenix, 3-0. The Crusaders rallied from a five-run deficit in the opener before succumbing in nine innings, 6-5.
Tied heading into the bottom of the seventh, junior catcher Whitney Warner (Greenwood, Ind./Center Grove) came up with the big hit, dropping in a walk-off single to plate pinch-runner Aubrey Sundling (Huntington, Ind./Huntington North) as Valparaiso defeated Purdue in the nightcap at the Valparaiso University Softball Field on Thursday, 3-2. The Boilermakers earned a 7-1 victory in the opener.
Coming off of a tripleheader sweep on Saturday, Valparaiso will play five games this week. The Crusaders will host Purdue in a doubleheader at home on Thursday before traveling to Green Bay this weekend for a key three-game league series with the Phoenix.
Valparaiso senior Karen Korb (Indianapolis, Ind./Lutheran) has been named the U.S. Army Horizon League Female Scholar-Athlete of the Month for the month of March, the league office announced today.
The Valparaiso softball team took full advantage of a tripleheader Saturday at Horizon League foe Youngstown State, sweeping the three games by scores of 13-8, 3-1 and 8-0. Freshman Sara Strickland (Phoenix, Ariz./Horizon) set the Crusader single-season runs scored record, crossing the plate eight times on the day to increase her season total to 37.
Valparaiso's scheduled single game with Youngstown State in Youngstown, Ohio on Friday has been postponed due to persistent rain throughout the day. The Crusaders and Penguins will now attempt to play a tripleheader on Saturday, beginning at 11 a.m. CDT. All three games can be heard live on www.sportsjuice.com.
Valparaiso had its highest scoring output against Notre Dame in 24 years Thursday at Melissa Cook Stadium in Notre Dame, Ind., but it was not enough, as the Fighting Irish took the nightcap by a 17-9 score. The Crusaders dropped the opener to the Irish as well, 11-0.
Valparaiso looks to bounce back this week as the Crusaders play five games in a three-day span. Valpo starts its trek east with a non-league doubleheader at Notre Dame on Thursday before playing a key Horizon League series at Youngstown State on Friday and Saturday.
Valparaiso got out to a quick 2-0 lead on Sunday in its series finale on a cold, blustery day in Chicago, but Loyola scored one run in each of the final three innings, including a leadoff walkoff homer in the bottom of the seventh, to take a 3-2 victory.
Jill Jacobson (Beecher, Ill./Beecher) scored the game-winning run on a wild pitch in the top of the 15th inning, and Stephanie Kelly (Plainfield, Ill./Plainfield) capped her complete-game win with a 1-2-3 bottom of the 15th as Valparaiso defeated Loyola, 4-3, in the longest game in team history. The Ramblers took the nightcap from the Crusaders by a 4-1 score.
Valparaiso was unable to garner a victory over Wright State Thursday afternoon at the Valparaiso University Softball Field, as the Raiders won the resumption of Wednesday's suspended game, 9-0, before taking the series finale by a 6-2 count.
Freshman Sara Strickland (Phoenix, Ariz./Horizon) hit a two-run homer with two outs in the seventh to send Valparaiso's series opener with Wright State to extra innings, but the Raiders put up four runs in the tenth and held on for a 9-7 win. Game two was suspended due to darkness after four innings with Wright State ahead 5-0, and will be resumed Thursday at noon.
A crucial week is in store for Valparaiso, as the Crusaders will play one-third of their remaining Horizon League contests over the next six days. Valpo will host Wright State on Wednesday and Thursday before heading to the Windy City to take on Loyola Saturday and Sunday.
Due to unplayable field conditions from lengthy periods of precipitation this weekend, Valparaiso's scheduled Monday doubleheader against UIC at the Valparaiso University Softball Field has been canceled and will not be made up. The Crusaders will return to action at home Wednesday against Wright State with a twinbill slated for a 3 p.m. first pitch.
Due to the threat of unsavory weather this weekend, the schedule for Valparaiso's three-game weekend series against Horizon League foe UIC has been adjusted. The Crusaders and Flames are now scheduled to play a single game Sunday and a doubleheader on Monday.
Valparaiso put up its highest scoring output in over two years, scoring multiple runs in all five innings as it downed Northern Illinois in the nightcap Wednesday in DeKalb, Ill., 13-1. The Huskies struck first in the opener and went on to a 5-3 victory over the Crusaders as the two squads split the twinbill.
The Valparaiso softball team announced today its promotional schedule for the 2009 campaign, highlighted by a giveaway of a pair of Allegiant Air tickets from South Bend to Orlando during the April 30 doubleheader against DePaul.
Valparaiso continues play this week with five games over three dates. The Crusaders travel to Dekalb, Ill. to face Northern Illinois in a twinbill on Wednesday before returning home for a three-game series against Horizon League foe UIC this weekend.
Valparaiso pushed the game-winning run across the plate in the top of the seventh in the nightcap Monday in Indianapolis, Ind. to earn an 8-7 victory over IUPUI and salvage a doubleheader split. The Jaguars defeated the Crusaders in the opener, 10-1.
Valparaiso improved to 3-0 to start the 2009 Horizon League campaign with an 8-0, five-inning run rule victory over Detroit Sunday afternoon at the Valparaiso University Softball Field.
Trailing by four runs late Saturday against Detroit, Valparaiso came all the way back, as a Sadie Conner (Washington, Ill./Washington) 3-run homer set the stage for a walk-off RBI single by Ashley Wolter (Denver, Iowa/Denver) in a 5-4 victory. The nightcap was dominated by Stephanie Kelly (Plainfield, Ill./Plainfield), who tossed a two-hitter en route to a 7-0 Crusader win.
A three-run first inning by Ball State was too much for Valparaiso to overcome Wednesday afternoon in Muncie, Ind., as the Cardinals defeated the Crusaders 4-3. The second game was canceled due to inclement weather in the bottom of the first inning.
Freshman pitcher Alex Lagesse (Beecher, Ill./Beecher) has been tabbed the Horizon League Pitcher of the Week after going 2-0 with a 1.65 ERA in three starts last week, including tossing a no-hitter against Bryant.
Coming off of a successful spring trip, Valparaiso returns to the state of Indiana with a 12-5 record and five games this week. Valpo plays at Ball State on Wednesday before opening Horizon League play with three games against Detroit this weekend. Please note the start time for Saturday's doubleheader has been moved to 2 p.m.
Crusader outfielder Karen Korb (Indianapolis, Ind./Lutheran) earned a pair of Horizon League accolades on Friday. The senior was named the league's Player of the Week and followed by being named the U.S. Army Female Scholar-Athlete of the Week for the week ending March 8.
Senior Ashley Wolter (Denver, Iowa/Denver) connected for a solo home run in the top of the seventh inning to give Valparaiso a 5-4 win against Penn on Thursday at the Rebel Spring Games, and the Crusaders followed with an easy 9-1 victory over Yale in their final game in Orlando.
Valparaiso registered 14 stolen bases without getting caught once over its two games on Wednesday at the Rebel Spring Games in Orlando, Fla., leading to victories over Buffalo (4-1) and Robert Morris (9-3).
Freshman Sam McGee (Bloomington, Minn./Jefferson) tallied Valparaiso's third straight shutout in the opener as the Crusaders defeated La Salle Tuesday at the Rebel Spring Games in Orlando, Fla., 9-0 in five innings. In the nightcap, South Dakota rallied for three two-out runs in the seventh inning to earn a 3-1 victory over Valpo.
Freshman pitcher Alex Lagesse (Beecher, Ill./Beecher) threw a no-hitter, while freshman Kelsey Phalen (Batavia, Ill./Batavia) hit two home runs as the Crusaders cruised to a 12-0 victory over Bryant Monday at the Rebel Spring Games. Senior Stephanie Kelly (Plainfield, Ill./Plainfield) tossed a three-hitter in the nightcap as Valpo completed the sweep with a 1-0 win over Sacred Heart.
Valparaiso won back-to-back games for the first time this season on Saturday, defeating South Dakota, 3-1, and Saint Francis (Pa.), 4-2, at the Rebel Spring Games in Orlando, Fla.
For the third straight day, the Valparaiso softball team split two games at the Rebel Spring Games in Orlando, Fla. The Crusaders defeated Fairfield in the opener, 8-1, before dropping a 6-3 decision to Holy Cross in the nightcap.
Valparaiso senior outfielder Karen Korb (Indianapolis, Ind./Lutheran) has been named one of 30 candidates nationwide for the Lowe's Senior CLASS Award in the softball division.
The Valparaiso softball team captured its first game Thursday at the Rebel Spring Games, out-slugging Holy Cross 12-7, but fell in the nightcap to Fairfield in eight innings, 4-3.
Behind a complete-game shutout with 13 strikeouts from Stephanie Kelly (Plainfield, Ill./Plainfield), the Valparaiso softball team earned a 4-0 victory in its opener at the Rebel Spring Games in Orlando, Fla. over St. Bonaventure on Wednesday. In the nightcap, the Crusaders led before giving up five runs in the seventh inning, falling to Niagara 7-4.
Valparaiso's final three games this weekend at the Frost Classic in Chattanooga, Tenn. have been cancelled due to unplayable field conditions caused by inclement weather.
Valparaiso held a 6-2 lead after the top half of the sixth in its season opener Friday against Missouri State at the Frost Classic in Chattanooga, Tenn., but the Bears scored five times in their final two at-bats, including a walk-off solo homer in the seventh, to take the 7-6 win. Valpo's scheduled opener against Sacred Heart was wiped out due to rain.
The Valparaiso University softball program ascended to even greater heights last season, winning a school-record 30 games under the tutelage of head coach Randy Schneider. Now, entering the 2009 campaign, Schneider has the Crusaders positioned to maintain their sport among the league's best squads.
The Valparaiso University softball team has been picked to finish in fifth place in the Horizon League standings for the 2009 season in preseason polling by the league's head coaches.
The Valparaiso University softball team will be hosting various clinics on Sunday, January 18, 25 and February 1 at the Athletics-Recreation Center for youths ages 9-17.
Valparaiso softball head coach Randy Schneider announced today that Hayley Bridwell, Jennifer Hermanson and Jessie Marinec have all signed National Letters of Intent during the early signing period and will join the Crusaders as freshmen for the 2010 season.
The Valparaiso University softball team will be conducting a hitting and baserunning clinic for youths ages 18 and under at the Athletics-Recreation Center on Saturday, Nov. 8 from 9 a.m.-noon.
The Valparaiso softball team wrapped up its 2008 fall season with an undefeated 6-0 record while also getting the chance to play eight intra-squad scrimmages.
Valparaiso softball head coach Randy Schneider released his schedule for the 2009 campaign today, featuring 16 home games at the Valparaiso University Softball Field.
The Valparaiso softball team will be hosting an alumni game this Saturday, October 4 at the Valparaiso University Softball Field.
The Crusader softball team will be hosting games at the Valparaiso University Softball Field each of the next five weekends as its 2008 fall schedule gets under way.
Three members of Valparaiso softball's incoming freshmen class have tasted success at ASA national tournaments this summer, highlighted by a national championship won by Alex LaGesse of the Lemont Rockers DD.
Karen Korb (Indianapolis, Ind./Lutheran North), Tracy Korth (Elgin, Ill./Larkin [Elgin C.C.]) and Andrea Zappia (Indianapolis, Ind./Franklin Central) have all been named to the 12-person Academic All-Horizon League softball team.