5/14/2015
Ranieri Repeats as Second Team All-Region Honoree
A stellar junior campaign from Valparaiso University outfielder Kaitlyn Ranieri has led to a second straight All-Region honor, as Ranieri repeated as a Second Team All-Midwest Region honoree by the National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) on Thursday. With the award, Ranieri is now eligible for All-American honors.
5/9/2015
Nadler Earns All-Tournament Team Honor
Valparaiso freshman outfielder Taylor Nadler capped a standout rookie season for the Crusaders by being named to the 2015 Horizon League Championship All-Tournament Team, as the tournament concluded Saturday.
5/7/2015
Pair of One-Run Heartbreakers End Crusaders’ Season
The Valparaiso University softball team saw its 2015 season come to an end Thursday afternoon at the Horizon League Championship in Rochester, Mich. in gut-wrenching fashion. Valpo dropped a pitcher’s duel to open play against UIC, 1-0, before seeing a furious rally in the seventh inning come up just short, falling 4-3 to Wright State in an elimination game.
5/6/2015
Crusaders Ride Big Inning to Tournament-Opening Win
Valpo scored six runs in the second inning, propelling the Crusaders to a 7-1 win over Wright State in their opener at the Horizon League Championship Wednesday. Mollie Lindeman went the distance in the circle for the win, which advanced Valpo to take on UIC Thursday at 1:30 p.m. CT. During the win over the Raiders, Kaitlyn Ranieri matched Valpo's career walks record, while Taylor Nadler completed a streak of 10 straight plate appearances reaching base, tied for eighth-most in NCAA history.
5/5/2015
Valpo Set to Head to HL Softball Championship
The Valparaiso University softball team takes aim at the 2015 Horizon League title this week, as the Crusaders head to Oakland, site of the Horizon League Championship. The Crusaders open tournament play Wednesday at 1:30 p.m. CT against third-seeded Wright State. Check out thoughts from head coach Kate Stake heading into the tournament, in the attached Valpo Coaches Show.
5/5/2015
Three Crusaders Receive Horizon League Postseason Honors
A trio of Valparaiso University softball players received postseason accolades from the Horizon League Tuesday, as the league announced its postseason award winners. Junior Kaitlyn Ranieri repeated as a First Team All-League honoree. Freshman Taylor Nadler earned Second Team All-League accolades and also received a spot on the All-Freshman Team, where she was joined by fellow rookie Stephanie Moreno.
5/3/2015
Softball Fifth Seed for Horizon League Championship
The Valparaiso University softball team finished the regular season in a tie for fourth place in the Horizon League standings and has earned the fifth seed for the Horizon League Championship, which begins Wednesday at Oakland. The Crusaders will face third-seeded Wright State to open the tournament Wednesday afternoon at 1:30 p.m. CT.
5/2/2015
Crusaders Claim Senior Day Sweep; Earn Way Into HL Championship
Crusaders honor seniors Tarah McShane and Lindsey Norway on Senior Day before Saturday's doubleheader, and then earn a spot in the Horizon League Championship with 7-5 and 9-5 wins over Youngstown State. Taylor Nadler reached base in all eight of her plate appearances Saturday, while Kaitlyn Ranieri broke Valpo's single-season walks record as well.
5/1/2015
Softball Picks Up Key Win Friday Afternoon
The Valparaiso University softball team kicked off its three-game series with Youngstown State Friday from the Valparaiso University Softball Field with a big win, taking down the Penguins by a 9-7 final in the series opener. Kaitlyn Ranieri and Taylor Nadler each scored three runs in the winning effort. Valpo hosts YSU on Senior Day Saturday at 11 a.m., with ceremonies before the game to honor Crusader seniors Tarah McShane and Lindsey Norway.
4/30/2015
Crusaders to Host YSU to Close Regular Season
The final weekend of the regular season is upon the Valparaiso University softball team, and it is a critical one, as the Crusaders take on Youngstown State in a three-game set beginning Friday afternoon at 3 p.m. Valpo seniors Tarah McShane and Lindsey Norway will be honored prior to the start of Saturday’s doubleheader at 11 a.m. in Senior Day ceremonies as they play the final home series of their careers.
4/29/2015
Valpo Falls to Bowling Green Wednesday
Ashlyn Montgomery and Mollie Lindeman combined on a four-hitter Wednesday, while Taylor Lawson and Sierra Pico picked up two hits apiece, but it wasn't enough for Valpo to earn the win, as the Crusader softball team fell at Bowling Green, 2-0. Valpo returns home to host Youngstown State this weekend in the final series of the regular season.
4/27/2015
Crusaders to Play One Game Wednesday at BGSU
The Valparaiso University softball team will play a single game Wednesday afternoon at Bowling Green to close out its non-league schedule, taking on the Falcons at 2:30 p.m. CT/3:30 p.m. ET. The single game replaces the previously-scheduled doubleheader. Valpo will then return home for the final Horizon League series of the season, starting Friday against Youngstown State.
4/26/2015
Crusaders Drop Series Finale Sunday
The Valparaiso University softball team fell in its series finale at Detroit Sunday afternoon, 5-4, after rallying to tie the game on a two-run homer by Tarah McShane in the top of the seventh inning.
4/25/2015
Long Ball Helps Crusaders Earn Doubleheader Split
Three home runs, including a pair of mammoth blasts from freshman Stephanie Moreno, accounted for all seven of the runs for the Valparaiso University softball team in its nightcap at Detroit on Saturday afternoon, as the Crusaders took down the Titans, 7-5. Valpo rebounded from a 16-3 loss to Detroit in Saturday’s opener.
4/23/2015
Softball Travels to Detroit This Weekend
A key Horizon League series awaits the Valparaiso University softball program this weekend, as the Crusaders travel to Detroit for a three-game set. Valpo will take on the Titans twice on Saturday and once on Sunday in the penultimate weekend of league play, fighting for a spot in the postseason tournament field.
4/18/2015
Valpo Sweeps Key League Doubleheader at CSU
There were players making key plays and coming up with key hits up and down the roster of the Valparaiso University softball team on Saturday afternoon in Cleveland, Ohio, as the Crusaders swept Cleveland State in a Horizon League doubleheader by scores of 7-4 and 7-6, the latter win coming in 10 innings.
4/17/2015
Crusaders Bested by Vikings Friday
The Valparaiso University softball team led after its third time at bat in its series opener at Horizon League foe Cleveland State Friday afternoon, but the Vikings scored eight unanswered runs as the Crusaders fell by a 9-2 final.
4/14/2015
Valpo Drops Pair of Road Games Tuesday
The Valparaiso University softball team fell in a pair of non-league contests Tuesday afternoon in DeKalb, Ill., dropping 12-4 and 4-2 decisions to Northern Illinois. Taylor Weissenhofer struck out a season-best seven batters in the nightcap.
4/12/2015
Softball Closes Weekend With Rally to Win Over UIC
The Valparaiso University softball team snapped its losing streak in style Sunday afternoon at the Valparaiso University Softball Field, coming from four runs down to score a 9-4 victory over UIC in Horizon League play. Sophomore Jorgi Calombaris led the way offensively with a career-best five RBIs.
4/11/2015
Valpo Falls in Pair of Slugfests Saturday
The Valparaiso University softball team fell short in a pair of comeback attempts in Horizon League play Saturday afternoon against UIC, dropping league games by final scores of 11-9 and 11-5 to the Flames. Taylor Nadler picked up five hits to lead the Valpo offense Saturday, while Kaitlyn Ranieri connected on two home runs and Tarah McShane hit a home run as well.
4/10/2015
Friday Game Postponed; Crusaders, Flames to Play Saturday, Sunday
A key Horizon League series awaits the Valparaiso University softball team this weekend, as the Crusaders host UIC at the Valparaiso University Softball Field for a three-game series. But the Crusaders will have to wait one more day to open the series, as Friday’s game has been postponed due to unplayable field conditions. First pitch of Saturday’s doubleheader is slated for 1 p.m., while today’s postponement will be made up Sunday at noon. Saturday will also serve as Alumni Day for the Crusader softball program, as Valpo welcomes back more than 20 former players.
4/8/2015
Crusaders Drop Pair at Wisconsin
The Valparaiso softball team fell in both ends of a doubleheader at Wisconsin Wednesday afternoon on a cool, overcast day in Madison, Wis., dropping the opener 10-2 and the nightcap 11-2. Mollie Lindeman connected on her first home run in a Crusader uniform in the first game.
4/7/2015
Softball Falls in Non-League Contest to IPFW
On an overcast day Tuesday afternoon at the Valparaiso University Softball Field, the Valparaiso softball team struggled to finish innings offensively, leaving 10 runners on base in a 5-2 loss to IPFW.
4/6/2015
Crusader Softball Steps Out of League Play
A full week with six games awaits the Crusader softball team this week, starting with a pair of non-league dates. Valpo will step out of Horizon League play Tuesday at home against IPFW at 3:30 p.m. - which will serve as the program’s Faculty and Staff Appreciation Day - and then head to Wisconsin for a twinbill Wednesday afternoon.
4/4/2015
Softball Drops Doubleheader Versus Oakland
The Valparaiso softball team took the lead early in both ends of a doubleheader against Oakland in Horizon League action on Saturday at the Valparaiso University Softball Field, but the Golden Grizzlies would come from behind to send the Crusaders to a pair of losses, as Valpo fell 7-2 and 6-3. Taylor Lawson scored three runs on the day to lead the Crusaders.
4/3/2015
Crusaders Drop Series Opener to Oakland
The Valparaiso softball team fell in its Horizon League series opener to Oakland on Friday at the Valparaiso University Softball Field, 8-0. Freshman Taylor Nadler went 2-for-2 to lead the Valpo effort.
4/2/2015
Softball Start Time Friday Moved Up
Another day, another schedule adjustment for the Valparaiso softball team. This time, with this weekend’s series already having been moved to the Valparaiso University Softball Field from Oakland, Friday’s game time has been pushed up to 11 a.m. due to the threat of rain in the afternoon. Saturday’s twinbill remains as a 1 p.m. start.
4/1/2015
Long Ball Dooms Crusaders in Twinbill at IUPUI
The Valparaiso softball team fell victim to the home run ball in a non-league doubleheader Wednesday afternoon on a warm, sunny day in Indianapolis, giving up seven home runs as the Crusaders dropped the two games by final scores of 6-4 and 11-3 to IUPUI.
3/31/2015
Valpo Softball Ready For Five-Game Week
For the first time since March 15, the Valparaiso softball team will leave home this week. The Crusaders travel to Indianapolis for a non-league doubleheader at IUPUI on Wednesday. Valpo will then return home for its Horizon League series versus Oakland, which was originally scheduled to be played at Oakland. The Crusaders will host the Golden Grizzlies for a single game Friday at 3pm and a doubleheader Saturday at 1pm.
3/29/2015
Softball Series Finale Sunday Canceled
Spring still hasn't completely sprung in Valparaiso, and with the combination of rain that moved through early Sunday afternoon and projected wind chill factors later in the afternoon below the league's minimum threshold, the Crusader softball team's series finale against Wright State has been canceled and won't be made up.
3/28/2015
Crusaders Split Pair of Slugfests With WSU
Runs weren’t hard to come by for the Valparaiso and Wright State softball teams in a doubleheader Saturday at the Valparaiso University Softball Field, as a pair of high-scoring games saw squads overcome large deficits. The Crusaders held a six-run lead in game one before WSU rallied for an 11-9 win, but in the nightcap, Valpo overcame a three-run deficit for a 9-7 victory.
3/27/2015
Softball Set to Host Wright State This Weekend
The Valparaiso softball team continues Horizon League play this weekend as the Crusaders host Wright State in a three-game series at home. The series has been shifted a bit due to weather, as the two squads are now slated to play a doubleheader Saturday at 1 p.m. and a single game Sunday at 1 p.m.
3/26/2015
Cold Forces Adjustment to Softball Weekend Series
With a high temperature that’s not even expected to crack 30 degrees on Friday, the Valparaiso softball team has adjusted its weekend series at home against Wright State. Friday’s single game has been moved to Sunday, with a 1 p.m. first pitch. Saturday’s doubleheader remains unchanged, with first pitch of the twinbill slated for 1 p.m.
3/25/2015
Kate Stake Joins the Valpo Coaches Show
Valparaiso softball head coach Kate Stake joins the Valpo Coaches Show to look back on the pre-league portion of the schedule and how the season has shaken out to date for the Crusaders.
3/23/2015
s’No’w Way Softball Can Play: Tuesday Twinbill Canceled
The Valparaiso softball team got three games in at home last weekend, but Mother Nature decided that Tuesday’s scheduled doubleheader with Central Michigan would be a no-go, as multiple inches of snow on Monday forced the cancellation of the twinbill with the Chippewas. Valpo is slated to return to action at home Friday afternoon to kick off a three-game Horizon League series with Wright State.
3/21/2015
Valpo Splits Saturday League Twinbill With Phoenix
The Valparaiso softball team plated 17 runs in a Horizon League doubleheader at home Saturday against defending league champion Green Bay, but it would only be enough for a split of the two games, as after capturing the opener by a 10-2 final, the Crusaders dropped a 12-7 decision in the nightcap. Kaitlyn Ranieri reached base in all eight of her plate appearances on the day.
3/20/2015
Crusaders Fall in Horizon League Opener
The Valparaiso softball team struck the first blow Friday afternoon in its Horizon League opener at the Valparaiso University Softball Field against Green Bay in a rematch of last season’s championship, but the Phoenix responded with seven unanswered runs as the Crusaders fell 7-2. The series will conclude with a 1 p.m. doubleheader on Saturday.
3/16/2015
Crusaders Finish Out Rebel Spring Games With Split
The Valparaiso softball team split for the third straight day Sunday to close out its time in the Rebel Spring Games in Kissimmee, Fla., falling to South Dakota 9-1 before taking down Saint Peter’s by a 10-5 final. The games were the last on Valpo’s spring break trip, and the Crusaders now return home this week. The original home opener for Wednesday against Eastern Illinois has been canceled, meaning that Valpo will open the home slate and Horizon League play simultaneously Friday afternoon versus Green Bay.
3/14/2015
Crusaders Pick Up Another Win Saturday
It was another day of split decisions for the Valparaiso softball team Saturday at the Rebel Spring Games in Kissimmee, Fla. Valpo would drop the opener to Albany in eight innings, 6-5, suffering its fifth one-run loss of the season. But the Crusaders rebounded with a 4-2 win over Niagara in the nightcap.
3/13/2015
Crusaders Split Pair at Rebel Spring Games
The Valparaiso softball team, playing in its final spring break event of the year, snapped a seven-game losing streak in their second game of the day at the Rebel Spring Games, beating Albany, 9-2. The Crusaders fell to Bucknell in their first game of the day, 6-2. Jorgi Calombaris went 3-for-6 with three runs scored on the day.
3/11/2015
Dunn, Calombaris Named Athletes of the Month
Valparaiso sophomore men's tennis player Kyle Dunn (Fond du Lac, Wis./Fond du Lac) and sophomore softball player Jorgi Calombaris (Frankfort, Ill./Lincoln-Way East) have been named the athletic department’s Student-Athletes of the Month for February.
3/9/2015
Valpo Finishes Out Colorado State Classic Monday
The Valparaiso softball team closed action at the Colorado State Classic in Fort Collins, Colo. on Monday afternoon. Valpo dropped the resumption of Sunday’s suspended game to the host Rams, 5-4 in nine innings, and then fell to Colorado State 8-3 in the tournament finale.
3/8/2015
Crusaders-Rams Suspended In Extra Inning Sunday
The Valparaiso softball team continued play at the Colorado State Classic in Fort Collins, Colo. on Sunday. Facing the host Rams in the nightcap, the Crusaders battled CSU to a 2-2 tie through eight innings before the game was suspended due to darkness. The game will be resumed on Monday before Valpo’s tournament finale against the Rams. In Sunday’s opener, the Crusaders fell 13-1 to Omaha.
3/7/2015
Crusaders Drop Pair at Colorado State
The Valparaiso softball team finally got action underway at the Colorado State Classic in Fort Collins, Colo. on Saturday, but the results wouldn’t fall the Crusaders’ way, as Valpo dropped run-rule decisions to Omaha (11-2) and Drake (8-0).
3/6/2015
Crusaders’ Game Friday Afternoon Canceled
The Valparaiso softball team will have to wait until Saturday to play its first game at the Colorado State Classic, as its scheduled game Friday against Drake was canceled with snow still on the outfield grass. The Crusaders are still scheduled to play their two games Saturday and Sunday.
2/24/2015
Crusaders Pick Up Six Games in Florida
When one door closes, another one opens, and that’s what has happened for the Valparaiso softball team. Following the cancelation of the Crusaders’ scheduled tournament this coming weekend, head coach Kate Stake added a trip to Kissimmee, Fla. and the Rebel Spring Games to Valpo’s spring break slate.
2/23/2015
Calombaris Claims Player of the Week Award
After posting three multi-hit games in four contests last week, including her first career four-hit game, Valparaiso sophomore Jorgi Calombaris has been named the Horizon League Player of the Week.
2/23/2015
Crusaders’ Weekend Tournament Canceled
The Valparaiso softball team’s scheduled games this weekend at Arkansas’ Wooo Pig Classic from Fayetteville, Ark. have been canceled, as the tournament has been called off due to anticipated inclement weather. The tournament will not be rescheduled.
2/21/2015
Valpo Splits Pair of Games Saturday
Jenna Stauffenberg tallied four hits Saturday as the Crusader softball team split its final two games from the Samford Invitational. Valpo defeated Alabama State, 8-2, as it scored eight unanswered runs, but fell in the finale against Samford, 12-1.
2/20/2015
Crusaders Fall Twice on Opening Day at Samford
Leadoff hitter Jorgi Calombaris enjoyed a 7-for-8 day at the plate on Friday, but it would not be enough to lead Valparaiso to a win, as the Crusaders fell in their opener to Houston Baptist, 13-8, and then gave up two runs in the bottom of the seventh in a 6-5 loss to host Samford. Tarah McShane connected on a pair of home runs in the opener as well.
2/19/2015
Softball Resumes Spring Slate at Samford
After a weekend away from competition, the Valparaiso softball team gets the spring slate started in earnest this weekend with four games at the Samford Invitational in Birmingham, Ala. This is the first of three consecutive weekends with tournament action for the Crusaders. With inclement weather in the forecast, the schedule has been adjusted and Valpo will play two games apiece on Friday and Saturday.
2/8/2015
Crusaders Close Out Mercer Invitational With Win Over IPFW
The Valparaiso softball team finished the Mercer Invitational in Macon, Ga. on Sunday with a third-place finish after earning a run-rule victory over IPFW for the second straight day, 9-1. Mollie Lindeman earned the win on Sunday, while Taylor Lawson and Stephanie Moreno represented the Crusaders on the All-Tournament Team.
2/7/2015
Softball Splits Two on Second Day in Georgia
Crusaders run-rule IPFW, 10-2, in Saturday's opener at the Mercer Invitational for Kate Stake's first win as a collegiate head coach. Valpo fell to Mercer, 5-4, in the nightcap and will face IPFW in its tournament finale Sunday. Taylor Lawson picked up a team-best six hits on the day.
2/6/2015
Crusaders Drop Pair on Opening Day at Mercer
The Valparaiso softball team opened the season at the Mercer Invitational on Friday, falling to Jacksonville State 5-4 and Mercer 12-4. Freshman Stephanie Moreno had four hits on the day to lead the Crusaders.
2/4/2015
Softball Picked Third in Preseason Poll; Stake Joins Valpo Coaches Show
With the 2015 softball season set to open this weekend, the Horizon League released its preseason poll on Wednesday, and Valparaiso was picked to finish in third place. Before the Crusaders head to Macon, Ga., head coach Kate Stake joined the Valpo Coaches Show to look back at how the fall season and spring practices have prepared the team for the start of the season, and what she hopes to get out of the early-season competition.
2/3/2015
Four Crusaders Earn Preseason All-League Honors
With the dawn of the 2015 softball campaign right around the corner, four Valparaiso softball players picked up preseason All-Horizon League accolades from College Sports Madness on Tuesday, highlighted by the selection of junior Kaitlyn Ranieri as the site’s preseason Field Player of the Year.
12/8/2014
Trepanier Inks NLI With Valpo Softball
Valpo softball head coach Kate Stake announced today that Carly Trepanier has signed an NLI with the Crusaders and will join the team as a freshman for the 2016 season. Trepanier was a Second Team All-State honoree last season and helped lead Manteno [Ill.] H.S. to a state title game appearance.
12/1/2014
Softball Announces 2015 Slate
17 home games over 11 dates at the Valparaiso University Softball Field, at least six games against 2014 NCAA Tournament participants highlight the Crusader softball schedule for the 2015 campaign.
11/5/2014
Softball to Host Pair of Camps
Softball program to host All-Skills Camp January 18, Hitting and Pitching Camp February 15.
10/3/2014
Crusaders’ Final Home Doubleheader Postponed to Sunday
The Valparaiso softball team’s final doubleheader of the fall season has been postponed from Saturday to Sunday due to precipitation over the past 24 hours and forecasted rain into the start of the weekend. The twinbill between the Crusaders and Grand Valley State will now start on Sunday afternoon at noon at the Valparaiso University Softball Field.
10/2/2014
Softball, Six Players Earn NFCA Academic Honors
Crusaders earn All-Academic Team Honors from the NFCA for a fourth consecutive year, while six players received All-America Scholar-Athlete accolades as well.
10/1/2014
Crusaders Raising Money as Part of Breast Cancer Awareness Activities
The Valparaiso University Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) will be raising money for the American Cancer Society at home events throughout the next month as part of its Breast Cancer Awareness campaign.
8/22/2014
Crusaders Announce Fall Schedule
The Valparaiso softball team will take to the field to play eight games over four days this fall, including a pair of home doubleheaders at the Valparaiso University Softball Field.
8/12/2014
Crusader Softball to Host Fall Experience Camp
Valparaiso softball program to host Fall Experience Camp Sept. 13 for players graduating from high school from 2015 through 2019. The camp will allow participants to experience a weekend in the life of a Valpo softball player within a single day. Visit ValpoSoftballClinics.com for more information.
7/24/2014
Kate Stake Joins Inside Valpo Athletics
The new head coach of the Valparaiso softball program, Kate Stake, talks about what attracted her to Valpo, what she brings with her from previous assistant coaching stops, and more on this edition of Inside Valpo Athletics.
7/22/2014
Valparaiso Announces Hiring of Kate Stake as Softball Head Coach
Valparaiso University director of athletics Mark LaBarbera announced today that Kate Stake has been hired as the new head coach of the Crusader softball program. Stake comes to Valpo with eight seasons of assistant coaching experience at the Division I level, most recently serving as an assistant at mid-major power Hofstra.
