5/27/2011
Valpo to Host Youth Softball Camp
Valparaiso softball head coach Jordan Stevens and the Crusader softball team will be hosting a youth summer camp on campus at the Valparaiso University Softball Field for youths in grades 3-8 on July 11-13.
5/19/2011
Strickland Earns All-Region Accolade for Second Straight Year
Valparaiso junior outfielder Sara Strickland (Scottsdale, Ariz./Horizon) received Louisville Slugger/National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) Division I Second Team All-Midwest Region honors for the second straight season in recognition of her stellar 2011 campaign for the Crusaders.
5/15/2011
Conner Earns Defensive Championship Honor; Joined by Strickland on All-Tournament Team
Valparaiso senior third baseman Sadie Conner (Washington, Ill./Washington) was named the Defensive Player of the Championship as the 2011 Horizon League Softball Championship came to an end Sunday afternoon. Conner also earned a spot on the All-Tournament Team, joined by junior outfielder Sara Strickland (Scottsdale, Ariz./Horizon).
5/13/2011
Crusaders Fall to Butler to Close Season
Valparaiso put the potential tying and go-ahead runs on base in the seventh inning of an elimination game in the 2011 Horizon League Softball Championship Friday evening against Butler in Chicago, Ill., but in the end, the Crusaders came up one run short, falling to the Bulldogs, 5-4 to conclude the 2011 season.
5/13/2011
Crusaders Stay Alive at HL Championship With Win Over CSU
Junior Alex Lagesse (Beecher, Ill./Beecher) retired 15 of the last 16 batters she faced, while senior KC Boldt (Red Wing, Minn./Red Wing) delivered the deciding blow with a leadoff homer in the sixth as Valparaiso stayed alive at the 2011 Horizon League Softball Championship with a 2-1 victory over Cleveland State Friday. With the win, the Crusaders play again Friday afternoon at 4 p.m.
5/12/2011
Crusaders Down Loyola, Advance in HL Championship
Second-seeded Valparaiso got a stellar complete-game outing in the circle from junior Sam McGee (Bloomington, Minn./Jefferson) in an elimination game Thursday afternoon at the 2011 Horizon League Softball Championship in Chicago, Ill., propelling the Crusaders to a 4-1 victory over top-seeded and host Loyola. Valpo advances to take on fourth-seeded Cleveland State in an elimination game Friday morning at 11 a.m.
5/12/2011
Crusaders Fall to Butler in HL Championship Opener
Second-seeded Valparaiso dropped its first contest in the 2011 Horizon League Championship Thursday afternoon in Chicago, Ill. to third-seeded Butler by a 3-1 score. The Crusaders will turn around immediately and play an elimination game against host Loyola.
5/10/2011
Seven Crusaders Receive HL Postseason Honors
Valparaiso was well represented Tuesday afternoon as the Horizon League announced its postseason softball All-League squads, as juniors Jordan Rutkowski (Alden, N.Y./Alden) and Sara Strickland (Scottsdale, Ariz./Horizon) both earned First Team honors to lead seven Crusaders overall who were honored on Tuesday.
5/10/2011
Valpo Set for 2011 HL Championship
Valparaiso enters the 2011 Horizon League Softball Championship this week as the tournament's #2 seed after concluding the regular season just one-half game out of the top of the league standings. With the #2 seed comes a bye, meaning the Crusaders could earn the tournament title with as few as three victories.
5/9/2011
Boldt Earns Final HL Player of the Week Honor of the Season
Valparaiso senior outfielder KC Boldt (Red Wing, Minn./Red Wing) earned the Crusaders' second straight Horizon League Player of the Week honor after being nearly perfect at the plate in the final week of the regular season, culminating with a pair of home runs Sunday against Cleveland State to help Valpo clinch second place in the league standings.
5/8/2011
Crusaders Sweep Twinbill, Finish Regular Season in Second
It was only apropos that on Senior Day at the Valparaiso University Softball Field Sunday afternoon, senior KC Boldt (Red Wing, Minn./Red Wing) drove in all three Valparaiso runs in the nightcap with a pair of home runs as the Crusaders won 3-0 over Cleveland State. The Crusaders also claimed a victory in the resumption of the suspended game, 4-2, to close the regular season in second place in the Horizon League standings.
5/7/2011
Series Opener With Cleveland State Suspended
Valparaiso did everything in its power to complete the opening game of a scheduled three-game series with Cleveland State on Saturday, but in the end, the umpires ruled the field unplayable and suspended the game with the Crusaders leading 4-0 in the bottom of the fourth inning. The game will be resumed Sunday at noon, with one game following the conclusion of the suspended game.
5/3/2011
Crusaders Fall at Notre Dame Tuesday
Eight runners stranded on base hurt Valparaiso's chances Tuesday afternoon at #25/21 Notre Dame, as the Crusaders eventually fell to the Fighting Irish in six innings, 10-2.
5/2/2011
Valpo Set to Conclude Regular Season
Entering the week tied atop the Horizon League standings, Valparaiso concludes the 2011 regular season with four scheduled games. The Crusaders step out of Horizon League play to take on nationally-ranked Notre Dame on Tuesday afternoon before ending the regular season with a three-game series at home against Cleveland State this weekend.
5/2/2011
Conner Claims HL Player of the Week Honors
Valparaiso senior infielder Sadie Conner (Washington, Ill./Washington) has been named the Horizon League Player of the Week after leading the Crusaders to a series victory at Green Bay this past weekend, culminating with her career record-tying home run in the sixth inning of the series finale.
5/1/2011
Sunday Victory Puts Valpo Softball Into First Place
Senior Sadie Conner (Washington, Ill./Washington) went 4-for-4 with a career-high six RBIs, capping the day with her 22nd career home run to match the Crusader all-time record, as Valparaiso completed a series win over Green Bay with a 10-5 victory Sunday morning in Green Bay, Wis. The win puts the Crusaders in a tie for first place in the league standings with one week remaining in the regular season.
4/30/2011
Valpo Softball Splits HL Doubleheader Saturday
Valparaiso's offense got rolling in the second game Saturday at Ben Garot Field in Green Bay, Wis., as the Crusaders set or matched a bevy of program records in a 12-0, five-inning victory over Green Bay in the nightcap of a doubleheader. Unfortunately for Valpo, the offense wasn't there after nine days off in the opener, as the Phoenix claimed a 2-1 victory as the two squads split the twinbill.
4/29/2011
Softball Twinbill Saturday Moved to Morning
Valparaiso's softball doubleheader at Green Bay Saturday has been moved up to a 10 a.m. start in an attempt to get both games in before forecasted rains Saturday afternoon.
4/28/2011
Rain, Rain Go Away: Second Straight Softball Game Canceled
The constant rains of the past week, combined with the possibility of more rain this afternoon, have rendered Valparaiso's softball field unplayable and forced the cancelation of Thursday afternoon's scheduled contest against Big East leader DePaul. The game will not be made up.
4/27/2011
Valpo Softball Team Puts Win Streak on the Line This Week
Valparaiso rides a five-game winning streak into this week, one in which it will host Big East leader DePaul on Thursday before traveling to Green Bay for its final league road three-game series this weekend.
4/26/2011
Norway Signs NLI to Join Crusader Softball Program
Valparaiso softball head coach Jordan Stevens announced today that high school senior Lindsey Norway has signed a National Letter of Intent and will join the Crusader program as a freshman in the fall of 2011.
4/23/2011
April Showers Force Saturday Softball Cancellation
Mother Nature finally claimed a home game from the Valparaiso softball team on Saturday, as rain throughout the day and into the night on Friday has forced the cancellation of the Crusaders' scheduled single game against IPFW.
4/21/2011
Crusader Softball Sweeps Twinbill; Moves Into Second in HL
Valparaiso completed a three-game series sweep of Wright State by taking both ends of a doubleheader Thursday afternoon at the Valparaiso University Softball Field, winning the opener via run rule, 11-1 in six innings, before earning a 4-2 victory in the nightcap. The pair of wins moves the Crusaders into second in the Horizon League standings with just two league series remaining.
4/20/2011
Valpo Takes Series Opener Against Wright State
Junior Jordan Rutkowski (Alden, N.Y./Alden) tied Valparaiso's career RBI record with a fourth-inning single, and an insurance run in the sixth inning proved vital as the Crusaders earned a 2-1 victory Wednesday afternoon at the Valparaiso University Softball Field in the opener of a three-game series with Wright State.
4/20/2011
Overnight Rains Force Softball Schedule Change
Due to heavy rains overnight, the schedule for Valparaiso's softball series at home against Wright State has been adjusted. The two teams will now attempt to play one game this afternoon (Wednesday) at 5pm, and then play a doubleheader Thursday beginning at 2pm.
4/19/2011
Crusader Softball Returns Home This Week
Coming off of an eight-game road trip, Valparaiso returns home this week for the first four games of a five-game homestand. The Crusaders host Wright State for a Wednesday doubleheader and Thursday single game in Horizon League action before stepping away from league play Saturday for a matchup with IPFW.
4/17/2011
Valpo Sweeps Doubleheader at Youngstown State
Junior Jordan Rutkowski (Alden, N.Y./Alden) hit a two-run homer with two outs in the seventh inning to erase a one-run deficit and propel Valparaiso to a 4-2 win over Youngstown State in the first game of a doubleheader Sunday afternoon in Youngstown, Ohio. The Crusaders came out on the winning end of a slugfest in the nightcap, 14-11.
4/16/2011
Crusader Softball Doubleheader at YSU Rained Out
The Valparaiso softball team had its doubleheader at Youngstown State rained out on Saturday afternoon. In lieu of the regularly scheduled three-game series, the Crusaders and Penguins will now play just a single doubleheader on Sunday beginning at 11 a.m. CDT. The third game of the series will not be made up.
4/13/2011
Valpo Drops Series Finale to Bulldogs
For the second time in two days, Valparaiso came out on the wrong end of a pitcher's duel, as Butler made two first-inning runs stand up to hand the Crusaders a 2-0 defeat Wednesday afternoon in Indianapolis, Ind.
4/12/2011
Valpo Earns Butler Split With 7-1 Win in Nightcap
Senior KC Boldt (Red Wing, Minn./Red Wing) drove in five runs, capped by a three-run homer in the seventh inning, as Valparaiso rolled to a 7-1 victory over Butler in the nightcap of a Horizon League doubleheader Tuesday afternoon in Indianapolis, Ind. A pitchers' duel in the opener went against the Crusaders, as the Bulldogs pulled out a 2-0 victory.
4/11/2011
Crusaders Travel For Two Key HL Series This Week
Valparaiso continues a stretch of nine road Horizon League games in a nine-day span with a busy week this week. The Crusaders travel to Butler for a doubleheader Tuesday and a single game Wednesday before heading to Youngstown State for a three-game weekend series.
4/10/2011
Valpo Drops Series Finale at Loyola
Valparaiso tallied just two hits on Sunday afternoon in Chicago, Ill. as the Crusaders fell in their series finale against Loyola, 8-0.
4/9/2011
Valpo Splits Extra-Inning Twinbill at Loyola
Valparaiso split a pair of extra-inning games at Loyola in Chicago, Ill. on Saturday afternoon as it began a nine-game in nine-day road trip, winning the opener 5-2 in nine innings before falling in the finale, 5-4 in eight innings.
4/7/2011
Crusaders Tie in Nightcap With Purdue Thursday
For the first time in six seasons, the Valparaiso softball team had a game end in a tie, as its nightcap with Purdue Thursday evening at the Valparaiso University Softball Field was called after five innings due to darkness with the score 4-4. The Boilermakers scored eight runs in the final two innings to hand the Crusaders an 8-2 defeat in the opener.
4/5/2011
Crusader Softball To Close Homestand, Starts Road Trip
Valparaiso closes a stretch of nine home games over 14 days with a non-league doubleheader at the Valparaiso University Softball Field on Thursday against Purdue. The Crusaders then hit the road for a nine-day, nine-game road trip with a three-game series this weekend at Loyola.
4/3/2011
Crusaders Drop Series Finale to UIC
A nine-run second inning by UIC was the difference Sunday afternoon at the Valparaiso University Softball Field, as Valparaiso could not overcome the large deficit, eventually falling to the Flames in six innings, 17-6.
4/2/2011
Valpo Splits HL Softball Twinbill With UIC Saturday
Valparaiso earned a split of its Horizon League doubleheader with UIC Saturday afternoon at the Valparaiso University Softball Field by virtue of a 5-2 victory in the nightcap. The Flames claimed a 4-1 win in the opener, snapping Valpo's school-record 13-game winning streak.
4/1/2011
Broadcast Coverage Changes for Crusader Sports Saturday
WVUR (95.1 FM, Valparaiso) has announced coverage changes for Crusader spring sports on Saturday. Valpo's softball doubleheader Saturday against UIC, set for a 1 p.m. start, will now be carried live over WVUR's airwaves, while the Crusaders' baseball doubleheader versus the Flames, scheduled to start at noon, will be carried on www.sportsjuice.com. Links for both of Saturday's broadcasts are also available at www.valpoathletics.com.
3/30/2011
Crusaders Slug Way to Doubleheader Sweep at NIU
Valparaiso broke out the bats in a big way Wednesday afternoon, busting out for a combined 25 runs and 30 hits in 17-6 and 8-5 victories over Northern Illinois in DeKalb, Ill., extending the Crusaders' program record winning streak to 13 games.
3/29/2011
Five Games Await Valpo Softball This Week
Valparaiso puts its program-record 11-game winning streak on the line with five games in the week ahead. The Crusaders open play with a non-league twinbill Wednesday afternoon at Northern Illinois before hosting UIC for a three-game Horizon League series this weekend.
3/28/2011
Lagesse Named HL Pitcher of the Week
Valparaiso junior pitcher Alex Lagesse (Beecher, Ill./Beecher) has been named Horizon League Pitcher of the Week after posting victories in all three of her appearances last week, highlighted by a perfect game on Saturday.
3/27/2011
Crusaders Win 11th Straight; Complete Sweep of Detroit
Valparaiso concluded a perfect start to Horizon League play this weekend with a 7-1 victory Sunday afternoon over Detroit at the Valparaiso University Softball Field, completing a three-game sweep of the Titans and registering their 11th consecutive victory, an on-going program record.
3/26/2011
Lagesse Tosses Perfect Game; Crusaders Set Program Win Streak Record
Junior Alex Lagesse (Beecher, Ill./Beecher) threw a perfect game, retiring all 15 batters she faced, in the Horizon League opener Saturday against Detroit as Valparaiso won 8-0 in five innings. The Crusaders then captured the nightcap in five innings as well by a 10-0 score for their tenth straight victory, a new program record for longest winning streak.
3/25/2011
Crusaders Beat Michigan State For Eighth Straight Win
The Valparaiso softball team opened the 2011 home campaign at the newly renovated Valparaiso University Softball Field with a victory, downing Big Ten opponent Michigan State by a 6-4 count on Thursday afternoon. The win extended the Crusaders' winning streak to eight straight games.
3/22/2011
Crusaders Sweep IUPUI in Twinbill Tuesday
Valparaiso decisively swept a doubleheader at IUPUI Tuesday afternoon in Indianapolis, Ind., winning the opener 10-3 before taking the nightcap via run rule, 9-1 in six innings to extend its winning streak to seven games. Junior Sara Strickland broke the Crusader record for career runs scored in the first inning of the second game, while freshman Angie Doerffler set a mark for consecutive hits that ranks among the top-10 in NCAA history.
3/21/2011
Valpo Returns to Play With Six Games in Six Days
Six games are on the slate for Valparaiso this week, as the Crusaders open the week with a twinbill at IUPUI Tuesday before opening the home campaign against Michigan State Friday. Horizon League play then begins this weekend with Valpo hosting Detroit for a three-game series.
3/11/2011
Crusaders Win Two More to Close Out Rebel Spring Games
The Valparaiso softball team will be leaving Florida on a winning note, as the Crusaders closed out their spring break trip Friday at the Rebel Spring Games in Kissimmee, Fla. with a 3-0 victory over Wagner and an 11-5 win over Penn, extending their winning streak to five games.
3/9/2011
Crusaders Run to Two Victories Wednesday
Valparaiso matched a program single-game record with eight stolen bases in a 9-1 run-rule victory over Florida A&M, and added five more steals in a 4-0 shutout of Temple as the Crusaders won twice Wednesday at the Rebel Spring Games in Kissimmee, Fla.
3/8/2011
Valpo Splits Pair in First Day of Action at Rebel Spring Games
Valparaiso used a four-run sixth inning to snap a three-game losing streak as it defeated Robert Morris, 4-2, in its second game of the day Tuesday at the Rebel Spring Games in Kissimmee, Fla. The Crusaders dropped a 2-0 decision to South Dakota in the day's opener.
3/6/2011
Valpo Falls to Syracuse Sunday Afternoon
The Valparaiso softball team closed play Sunday at Florida's Lipton Invitational by taking on its second consecutive opponent receiving votes for the nation's top-25, but could not earn a victory as the Crusaders fell to Syracuse 6-0.
3/5/2011
Another Day, Another Split for Crusader Softball Team
For the second straight day, the Valparaiso softball team split a pair of games at the Lipton Invitational in Gainesville, Fla., defeating Gardner-Webb Saturday morning, 4-1, before falling to a Pacific squad receiving top-25 votes, 7-1.
3/4/2011
Crusaders Split Pair of Games To Open Lipton Invitational
Valparaiso opened play at #2/3 Florida's Lipton Invitational in Gainesville, Fla. Friday with a pair of games, earning a split of the two contests. The Crusaders began the day with a quick 8-0 five-inning win over North Dakota State before competing well with the top-five host Gators, as only one big inning was the difference in a 13-4 Valpo loss.
3/2/2011
Valpo Continues Spring Break Trip at Florida's Lipton Invitational
Valparaiso continues its spring break trip to Florida with a stop in Gainesville this weekend to take part in the Lipton Invitational, hosted by the University of Florida. The host Gators are the second top-ten squad the Crusaders will face this week, while two other teams receiving votes in the national polls are on the docket as well.
3/1/2011
Crusaders Take #8/5 Michigan to the Brink Wednesday
The Valparaiso softball team gave #8/5 Michigan its toughest test of the 2011 season to date, heading into the seventh inning tied on Tuesday afternoon, but the undefeated Wolverines pushed across a run in the bottom half of the frame to hand the Crusaders a 2-1 defeat in Orlando, Fla. Valpo was unable to come up with a similar effort in the nightcap, falling 6-1 against UCF.
2/28/2011
Marinec Named HL Batter of the Week
Valparaiso sophomore infielder Jessie Marinec (Alsip, Ill./Marist) has been named the Horizon League Batter of the Week after picking up hits in all five games last weekend as the Crusaders won Stetson's Hatter Classic. It marks the first weekly honor from the league office for Marinec.
2/27/2011
Crusaders Win Hatter Classic With Victory Over Bethune-Cookman
The Valparaiso softball team will be bringing home some hardware from its annual spring break trip to Florida, as the Crusaders defeated Bethune-Cookman on Sunday morning, 5-2, in the championship game of the Hatter Classic in DeLand, Fla.
2/26/2011
Valpo Drops Pair Saturday at Hatter Classic
The second day of action at the Hatter Classic was not as kind to the Valparaiso softball team as was the first day, as the Crusaders dropped a pair of close decisions, falling 1-0 in eight innings to Bethune-Cookman and 5-3 to host Stetson on Saturday.
2/25/2011
Crusaders Win Two at Hatter Classic Friday
A pair of solid pitching performances and the home run ball helped the Valparaiso softball team to a pair of wins to open play at the Hatter Classic in DeLand, Fla. on Friday. The Crusaders opened play with a 4-1 win over Charleston Southern before defeating host Stetson by a count of 5-2.
2/24/2011
Valpo Set for Start of Spring Break Trip
Valparaiso kicks off its annual spring break trip to Florida at Stetson's Hatter Classic Feb. 25-27, playing five games over the course of three days. The Crusaders then take to the field Mar. 1 at UCF, playing a top-ten Michigan squad in addition to the host Knights.
2/13/2011
Valpo Splits Twinbill With Iowa State Sunday
Valparaiso run-ruled a BCS opponent for the first time in the modern era, trouncing Iowa State 11-2 in five innings to close play at the Cyclone Indoor Invitational Sunday afternoon in Ames, Iowa. The Crusaders bounced back from an 11-4 defeat against the Cyclones in the opening game of Sunday's twinbill.
2/12/2011
Valpo Splits on Opening Day of Softball Season
Valparaiso head coach Jordan Stevens earned his first victory at the helm of the Crusaders as they pounded out 16 hits in a 9-4 victory over Western Illinois in their second game at the Cyclone Indoor Invitational in Ames, Iowa. In the season opener, Valpo dropped a 2-1 decision to Creighton.
2/11/2011
Valpo Softball Set to Begin 2011 Campaign
A program on the rise, the Valparaiso University softball team took another step forward last year, winning a school-record 35 games and advancing to the final day of the Horizon League Championship. 15 of 18 letterwinners return from that squad for the 2011 campaign, which begins this weekend at Iowa State's Cyclone Indoor Invitational.
2/8/2011
Crusaders Tabbed Fifth in Preseason Poll
The Valparaiso University softball team has been picked to finish in fifth place in the Horizon League standings for the 2011 season in preseason polling by the league's head coaches.
12/2/2010
Crusader Softball Program to Host Winter Clinics
The Valparaiso University softball program will be hosting beginner and advanced hitting and pitching clinics on Sunday, Jan. 30, as well as an advanced all-skills clinic on Sunday, Feb. 20 and a beginner all-skills clinic on Sunday, March 20.
11/11/2010
Crusader Softball Inks Pair of Signees
Valparaiso softball head coach Jordan Stevens announced today that high school seniors Brittany Duncan and Tarah McShane have both signed National Letters of Intent and will join the Crusader softball program in the fall of 2011.
11/2/2010
Rigorous Slate Awaits Crusader Softball in 2011
Nine opponents who appeared in the NCAA Tournament a year ago, including perennial national powers DePaul, Florida, Michigan and Notre Dame, highlight the Valparaiso softball schedule for the 2011 season, as released today by Crusader head coach Jordan Stevens.
9/21/2010
Valpo Announces 2010 Fall Schedule
The Valparaiso softball team announced its 2010 fall schedule today, featuring games each of the next three weekends, including a home game at the Valparaiso University Softball Field on Sunday, Oct. 10 against DePaul.
9/17/2010
Jordan Stevens Named New Crusader Softball Head Coach
Valparaiso University director of athletics Mark LaBarbera announced today that Jordan Stevens has been named as the new head coach of the Crusader softball program.
8/2/2010
Schneider Steps Down as Crusader Softball Coach
Valparaiso University Director of Athletics Mark LaBarbera has announced that Randy Schneider has resigned his position as head softball coach for the Crusaders, effective immediately, to pursue other coaching endeavors. A national search for Schneider's successor will begin immediately.
7/1/2010
Crusader Assistant Folden Topping NPF in Home Runs
Valparaiso softball assistant coach Rachel Folden, a third-year catcher with the Chicago Bandits of the National Pro Fastpitch league, currently leads the nation's top softball league in home runs.
