The Valparaiso University softball program will play eight games over four dates of competition this fall, including a pair of home dates at the Valparaiso University Softball Field.

The Crusaders open the fall schedule on Saturday, Sept. 12 at home with a doubleheader beginning at noon versus Lake Land [Ill.] C.C. Valpo then travels to Grand Park in Indianapolis on Sunday, Sept. 20 to take on Indiana State (noon CT) and Indiana (2 p.m. CT).

Valpo will be in action at home on Homecoming Saturday, hosting Grand Valley State at 11 a.m. and Purdue Calumet at 3 p.m. on the 26^th. GVSU and Purdue Cal will also play a neutral site game at 1 p.m. as well that day. The Crusaders’ slate of opponents in the fall concludes at Notre Dame on Sunday, Oct. 4, where Valpo will take on Western Michigan at 11 a.m. CT and the host Irish at 3:30 p.m. CT.

Valpo returns an experienced squad in its second season under head coach Kate Stake, as 15 of 17 letterwinners from the 2015 squad are back for the 2016 campaign.