6/26/2017
Lawson Granted Hardship Waiver, Will Return In 2018
The Valparaiso University softball program has announced that Taylor Lawson (Tucson, Ariz./Sahuaro) has been granted a hardship waiver due to injury for the 2017 season. Lawson will return to the Crusaders for her additional season of athletic eligibility as a fifth-year senior in 2018.
6/15/2017
Monica Wright Promoted to Associate Head Coach
Valparaiso University softball head coach Kate Stake announced today that Monica Wright, the program’s pitching coach, has been promoted to associate head coach.
6/2/2017
Packard Named NJCAA All-American
The Valparaiso University softball team will be welcoming an All-American to the program this fall, as incoming junior pitcher Kelsie Packard was recently tabbed an NJCAA Division III All-American by the National Fastpitch Coaches Association after helping to lead Rock Valley College to the 2017 national title.
5/25/2017
Valparaiso University to Join Missouri Valley Conference
Valparaiso University president Mark A. Heckler, Ph.D., announced today that the University has accepted an invitation to join the Missouri Valley Conference on July 1, 2017. The Crusaders will begin competing for MVC championships in the 2017–2018 academic year.
5/18/2017
Stewart, Trepanier Earn All-Region Accolades
The Valparaiso University softball team was represented by two players on the National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) All-Midwest Region squads, as announced by the NFCA on Thursday. Senior Sam Stewart (Frankfort, Ill./Lincoln-Way East) received Second Team All-Region honors, while sophomore Carly Trepanier (Manteno, Ill./Manteno) earned a spot on the Third Team.
5/13/2017
Magnifico Named to All-Tournament Team
Valparaiso University freshman outfielder Gabby Magnifico (Elmhurst, Ill./York) capped off her rookie season by representing the Crusaders on the All-Tournament Team at the 2017 Horizon League Championship, as announced by the league at the tournament’s conclusion Saturday.
5/12/2017
Softball Closes Season at Horizon League Championship
The Valparaiso University softball team saw its 2017 season come to an end on Friday afternoon at the Horizon League Championship, as the Crusaders finished the tournament in fourth place with an 8-0 loss to Detroit Mercy. Valpo ended the season with 28 wins – its highest win total since 2013 – and senior Sam Stewart (Frankfort, Ill./Lincoln-Way East) finished out her final year with four program single-season records.
5/11/2017
Softball Falls to Youngstown State Thursday
The road to defending the Horizon League crown got a bit more challenging for the Valparaiso University softball team on Thursday, as the third-seeded Crusaders were dealt a 9-2 defeat by second-seeded Youngstown State. Valpo now has to win twice on Friday to reach Championship Saturday.
5/10/2017
Crusaders Take Down Oakland in Tournament Opener
A solo homer from freshman Gabby Magnifico (Elmhurst, Ill./York) proved to be the lone run the Valparaiso University softball team would need in its opener at the Horizon League Championship Wednesday afternoon, as after waiting out a lengthy pre-game rain delay, the Crusaders got a one-hit effort in the circle by junior Kenzie Grossmann (Perry, Mo./Mark Twain [Morehead State]) to take down Oakland by a 1-0 final in a rain-shortened five-inning affair. With the win, the Crusaders advance to play Youngstown State Thursday afternoon at 5 p.m.
5/9/2017
Softball Heads to Horizon League Championship
The Valparaiso University softball team begins defense of its 2016 Horizon League Championship this week in Chicago, as the third-seeded Crusaders look for their second straight league title and fourth in the last six years. Valpo begins the double-elimination tournament on Wednesday afternoon at 2:30 p.m. against sixth-seeded Oakland.
5/9/2017
Sam Stewart Named Louisville Slugger/NFCA National Player of the Week
Tuesday proved to be a historic day for the Valparaiso University softball program, as senior Sam Stewart (Frankfort, Ill./Lincoln-Way East) was named the Louisville Slugger/NFCA National Player of the Week following her outstanding performance in the final weekend of the regular season. Stewart is the first player in program history to earn a National Player of the Week award.
5/9/2017
Stewart Tabbed Horizon League Player of the Year; Calombaris, Trepanier Earn All-League Honors
Valparaiso University senior Sam Stewart (Frankfort, Ill./Lincoln-Way East) received the Horizon League’s top honor on Tuesday, as the league announced that Stewart has been named the Horizon League Player of the Year in voting by the league’s head coaches. In addition, classmate Jorgi Calombaris (Frankfort, Ill./Lincoln-Way East) joined Stewart as a First Team All-League selection, while sophomore Carly Trepanier (Manteno, Ill./Manteno) earned a Second Team All-League spot for the second straight year.
5/8/2017
Stewart Earns Horizon League Player of the Week Honor
Valparaiso University senior Sam Stewart (Frankfort, Ill./Lincoln-Way East) has been named the Horizon League Player of the Week after enjoying a weekend to remember in the final home series of her career, reaching base in all 11 of her plate appearances and breaking Valpo’s single-season home runs and walks records.
5/7/2017
Late Heroics Cap Series Sweep For Softball
It was a script seniors could hardly dream of for the final home game of their careers, as longtime neighbors and classmates Sam Stewart (Frankfort, Ill./Lincoln-Way East) and Jorgi Calombaris (Frankfort, Ill./Lincoln-Way East) scored the tying and winning runs on a pinch-hit single from freshman Hannah Dybalski (Lebanon, Ind./Lebanon) in the sixth inning of Valpo’s 2-1 victory to close out the regular season Sunday afternoon against Wright State. With the win, the Crusaders clinched the third seed in the Horizon League Championship this week and will open tournament play against sixth-seeded Oakland Wednesday afternoon.
5/6/2017
Crusaders Sweep Wright State on Senior Day
Senior Sam Stewart (Frankfort, Ill./Lincoln-Way East) enjoyed a Senior Day to remember at the Valpo Softball Complex on Saturday, breaking Valpo’s single-season home runs and walks records and ending game two of the doubleheader sweep of Wright State with a two-run homer which closed out a 9-1 victory. Freshman Morgan Matalin (Crown Point, Ind./Crown Point) delivered a walk-off victory in eight innings in the opener with her first career homer, giving the Crusaders a 4-3 win. Prior to the twinbill, the Crusaders honored their senior trio on Senior Day: Jorgi Calombaris (Frankfort, Ill./Lincoln-Way East), Taylor Lawson (Tucson, Ariz./Sahuaro) and Stewart.
5/5/2017
Softball Closes Regular Season This Weekend
Having already secured a berth into next week's Horizon League Championship, the Valparaiso University softball team looks to close out the regular season on a high note this weekend as the Crusaders welcome Wright State to town for a three-game series. Prior to Saturday's doubleheader, Valpo will honor its three-player senior class: Jorgi Calombaris, Taylor Lawson and Sam Stewart.
5/5/2017
Calombaris Earns Academic All-League Honor
Valparaiso University softball senior Jorgi Calombaris (Frankfort, Ill./Lincoln-Way East) has been named to the Horizon League’s Academic All-League squad, as announced by the league office Friday morning.
5/4/2017
Final Regular Season Softball Series Adjusted
Mother Nature continues to wreak havoc on this spring's softball schedule, as the Crusaders have moved their scheduled game tomorrow against Wright State to Sunday afternoon at noon. Valpo's Saturday doubleheader versus the Raiders, also slated for a noon start, is on as scheduled and will continue to serve as the program's Senior Day.
4/29/2017
Valpo Drops Series Finale to Golden Grizzlies
Oakland proved to be too much for the Valparaiso University softball team to handle Saturday on a cold, rainy afternoon at the Valpo Softball Complex, as the Crusaders lost the series finale to the Golden Grizzlies by a 12-2 final.
4/28/2017
Comeback Comes Up Short As Crusaders Fall Twice to Oakland
As it has done so often this season, the Valparaiso University softball team rallied in the seventh inning to force extra innings in its nightcap with Oakland Friday from the Valpo Softball Complex, but in the end, the Crusaders couldn’t close out the comeback, as the Golden Grizzlies scored in the 11th inning for a 4-3 final. Oakland took both of Friday’s games, claiming the opener by a score of 9-2.
4/27/2017
Crusaders Host Key League Series Against Oakland
With just six regular season games remaining, the importance of each contest keeps growing, and this weekend's series with Oakland is the most important yet for the Valparaiso University softball team. With just 1.5 games separating second through sixth in the Horizon League standings, this weekend's series could prove to have a big impact on the final positions.
4/27/2017
Softball Schedule Adjusted This Weekend
Due to weather concerns, the schedule for the softball series this weekend between Valparaiso and Oakland has been adjusted. The two squads are now slated to play a Friday doubleheader, with first pitch at 11 a.m. The series is scheduled to conclude with a single game on Saturday at noon.
4/26/2017
NIU Takes Two From Crusaders Wednesday
The Valparaiso University softball team took to the field for its final non-league action of the regular season Wednesday afternoon in DeKalb, Ill. as the Crusaders visited Northern Illinois. But despite scoring first in both games, Valpo was unable to come away with a victory, as the Huskies rallied for a 7-4 win in the opener and a 5-2 win in the nightcap.
4/22/2017
Stewart Homers Twice As Crusaders Split With Titans
Senior Sam Stewart (Frankfort, Ill./Lincoln-Way East) homered in back-to-back at-bats in the Valparaiso University softball team’s opener at Detroit Mercy on Saturday, including a second-inning grand slam, as the Crusaders downed the Titans, 10-5. Valpo was unable to complete the series sweep, falling 4-2 to Detroit Mercy in the series finale.
4/21/2017
Crusaders Take Series Opener at Detroit Mercy
Propelled by a fifth-inning grand slam from junior Lanie Callaghan (Elburn, Ill./Kaneland), the Valparaiso University softball team opened a key Horizon League series at Detroit Mercy Friday afternoon with a 9-3 victory over the Titans.
4/18/2017
Crusaders Drop Twinbill to Central Michigan
The Valparaiso University softball team failed to get going Tuesday afternoon at home in a doubleheader against a strong Central Michigan team, as the Chippewas dealt the Crusaders a pair of defeats by finals of 6-0 and 8-0.
4/17/2017
Softball Prepares For Regular Season Home Stretch
The Valparaiso University softball team takes a brief step out of Horizon League action with a mid-week doubleheader on Tuesday at home against Central Michigan before starting the home stretch of league play with their final road series of the year this weekend at Detroit Mercy.
4/15/2017
Shutout Secures Softball Series Sweep
There would be no late-game heroics necessary for the Valparaiso University softball team on Saturday afternoon, as after waiting out a pre-game rain delay, the Crusaders jumped on top of Cleveland State with three first-inning runs and never looked back in an eventual 5-0 victory over the Vikings to complete the series sweep.
4/14/2017
Late Heroics Close Out Doubleheader Sweep For Cardiac Crusaders
Down three runs entering the seventh inning, and still trailing down to its final strike? No problem Friday for the Valparaiso University softball team. Senior Jorgi Calombaris (Frankfort, Ill./Lincoln-Way East) tied the nightcap with Cleveland State with a two-out, two-strike base hit in the seventh, and classmate Sam Stewart (Frankfort, Ill./Lincoln-Way East) delivered the game-winning blow with a homer in the eighth to give Valpo a 4-3 win and the doubleheader sweep. The Crusaders scored the first five runs en route to a 5-3 victory over the Vikings in the day’s opener.
4/12/2017
Valpo Falls Twice to League-Leading UIC Wednesday
The Valparaiso University softball team dropped both ends of a Horizon League doubleheader against league-leading UIC Wednesday afternoon at the Valpo Softball Complex, falling 5-0 in the opener and 3-2 in nine innings in the nightcap.
4/11/2017
Crusaders Drop Series Opener to UIC
There were just two run-scoring blows on Tuesday afternoon at the Valpo Softball Complex, but unfortunately for the Valparaiso University softball team, both came off the bats of visiting UIC players, as the Flames handed the Crusaders a 6-0 loss in their Horizon League series opener.
4/10/2017
Softball Continues League Play With Six Games This Week
The Valparaiso University softball team passes the midway point of Horizon League play this week as it faces six games in a five-day stretch. The Crusaders conclude their current homestand with a three-game series versus league-leading UIC at the Valpo Softball Complex on Tuesday and Wednesday, and then travel to take on Cleveland State for a three-game set on Friday and Saturday.
4/5/2017
Gloomy Weather Can’t Hold Down Crusaders as Softball Beats Green Bay
Rain overnight and throughout the morning looked to put the kibosh on playing Wednesday afternoon, but the Valparaiso softball program put in the necessary work to get the field playable, and then taking advantage of a window of opportunity, put in work on the field during the game to take down Green Bay by a 4-0 score and earn the series victory over the Phoenix.
4/4/2017
Crusaders, Phoenix Split League Twinbill Tuesday
Once the rain finally cleared up Tuesday afternoon, the Valparaiso University softball team was able to get in a Horizon League doubleheader with Green Bay at the Valpo Softball Complex – a series which was originally scheduled to be played in Green Bay. The Phoenix walked off with a 4-3 win in the opener, but the Crusaders rebounded with an offensive outburst in the nightcap for a 13-2 victory and a doubleheader split.
4/3/2017
Softball Set to Continue Homestand This Week
The Valparaiso University softball team continues a 10-game homestand at the Valpo Softball Complex this week as the Crusaders welcome Green Bay to town for a doubleheader on Tuesday and a single game on Wednesday. Because the Horizon League series was originally slated to be hosted by Green Bay before being moved to Valpo, the Phoenix will be the designated home team for all three games of the series.
4/2/2017
Crusaders Rally To Close Out Series Win Over YSU
It was a wild ride Sunday for the Valparaiso University softball team, as the Crusaders jumped out to a quick lead on Youngstown State before surrendering the lead in the top of the sixth, only to reclaim the advantage in the bottom half of the inning and then receive clutch relief work from freshman Lindsay Zdroik (Elgin, Ill./St. Edward) to close out a 6-5 victory which secured the series win over the Penguins.
4/1/2017
Nightcap Win Gives Softball Split Saturday
For the second straight Saturday, the Valparaiso University softball team rebounded after a loss to earn a doubleheader split in league play, as the Crusaders fell in the opener to Youngstown State, 6-1, before earning a 4-1 win in the nightcap at the Valpo Softball Complex.
3/31/2017
Valpo Softball to Host Green Bay Series Next Week
Fans hoping to catch the Valparaiso University softball team at the Valpo Softball Complex this season have a few more opportunities to do so now, as the program announced Friday that its mid-week series next week versus Green Bay has flipped sites and will now be hosted at Valpo. The Crusaders and Phoenix will face off in a doubleheader Tuesday afternoon at 1 p.m., followed by a single game on Wednesday at noon.
3/29/2017
Softball Claims Win Over IUPUI In Home Opener
The Valparaiso University softball team opened its home season on Wednesday afternoon at the Valpo Softball Complex on a winning note, carrying over its offensive prowess from the weekend as the Crusaders scored the first seven runs of the game en route to a 7-3 victory over IUPUI.
3/29/2017
Valpo Announces Schedule Changes For Weekend Softball Series
The Valparaiso University softball team has announced changes to the schedule for this weekend's Horizon League series with Youngstown State. The Crusaders will now host YSU for a doubleheader Saturday at 1 p.m., with the series wrapping up on Sunday with a single game at noon.
3/28/2017
Softball Set to Open Home Slate This Week
The Valparaiso University softball team gets to showcase its talents at home at the Valpo Softball Complex this week, with four games scheduled to kick off this season's home slate. The Crusaders will open the week with a non-league matchup against IUPUI on Wednesday before hosting Youngstown State for a three-game Horizon League series on Friday and Saturday. The program will be sponsoring a "Be The Match" bone marrow registry drive throughout Saturday's doubleheader, starting at 10 a.m.
3/25/2017
Offense Leads the Way In Softball Split Saturday
Offense was the name of the game Saturday in Highland Heights, Ky., as the Valparaiso University softball team combined for six home runs, 22 runs scored and 25 hits over a doubleheader split with Northern Kentucky. The Crusaders dropped the opener, 12-9, before rebounding with a 13-5 victory in the nightcap. Sophomore Jaymee Lawton (Goodyear, Ariz./Desert Edge [Utah Valley]) led the way with three home runs over the doubleheader, while freshman pitcher Lindsay Zdroik (Elgin, Ill./St. Edward) earned her first collegiate victory in the nightcap.
3/24/2017
Crusaders Rally to Claim Horizon League Opener
It wasn’t for the faint of heart, but the Valparaiso University softball team came out of its Horizon League opener at Northern Kentucky on Friday victorious, as the Crusaders scored five times in the seventh inning to overcome a 3-2 deficit and eventually earn a 7-4 victory.
3/21/2017
Softball Falls In Extra Innings Tuesday
The Valparaiso University softball team faced extra innings for the first time this season in its final tune-up for Horizon League play, but were unable to come out victorious, falling 4-3 in Chicago to Loyola on Tuesday afternoon.
3/20/2017
Valpo Softball Continues Road Stretch With Four Games This Week
A stretch of 22 straight games away from home to open the 2017 season concludes this week for the Valparaiso University softball team, as the Crusaders head to Loyola for a single non-league game on Tuesday before opening up Horizon League play this weekend at Northern Kentucky.
3/20/2017
Grossmann Named Horizon League Pitcher of the Week
Valparaiso University junior pitcher Kenzie Grossmann (Perry, Mo./Mark Twain [Morehead State]) has been named the Horizon League Pitcher of the Week after a pair of strong performances helped lead the Crusaders to two wins to close out the Hawkeye Invitational.
3/20/2017
Softball Game at Loyola Moved Up to Tuesday
With a high temperature barely projected to hit the freezing mark on Wednesday, the Valparaiso University softball team has had its non-league encounter at Loyola moved up to Tuesday afternoon at 3:30 p.m.
3/19/2017
Crusaders Cap Hawkeye Invitational With Sunday Win
The Valparaiso University softball team left Iowa City on a winning note Sunday afternoon, never trailing in taking down South Dakota State by a 3-1 final to improve to 12-6 on the season.
3/18/2017
Softball Rallies For Walk-Off Win Saturday
Entering the bottom of the seventh inning Saturday night against South Dakota trailing by one run was no obstacle to coming out victorious for the Valparaiso University softball team, as the Crusaders strung together four straight singles – the last a walk-off base hit from junior Jenna Stauffenberg (Kankakee, Ill./Bishop McNamara) – to score a pair of runs and earn the 5-4 win over the Coyotes.
3/17/2017
Crusaders Drop Pair of Games in Iowa Friday
The Valparaiso University softball team started out action at the Hawkeye Invitational from Iowa City, Iowa on Friday with a pair of games. The Crusaders fell in their tournament opener to Creighton, 12-4, and then dropped a 3-0 decision to host Iowa in the nightcap.
3/16/2017
Softball Heads to Amended Hawkeye Invitational
Winners of its last four games, the Valparaiso University softball team closes out its tournament slate this weekend as the Crusaders travel to Iowa City, Iowa for the Hawkeye Invitational. The weekend's schedule has been adjusted, as Valpo will now take on Creighton and Iowa on Friday, South Dakota on Saturday and South Dakota State on Sunday.
3/13/2017
Montgomery Earns Horizon League Pitcher of the Week Honor
Valparaiso University junior pitcher Ashlyn Montgomery (Lebanon, Ind./Lebanon) has been tabbed the Horizon League Pitcher of the Week for the week ending March 12 following a number of strong performances in the circle last week, including one of the best efforts of the season against a top-10 Alabama squad.
3/12/2017
Crusaders Pick Up Pair of Sunday Victories
The Valparaiso University softball team closed out its 11-day, 10-game road trip with two wins on Sunday from the Leon Smith Classic in Oxford, Ala., avenging a loss earlier this year to Eastern Illinois with a 3-2 victory and finishing tournament play with a 5-2 win over Alabama State. Senior Sam Stewart (Frankfort, Ill./Lincoln-Way East) delivered her third multi-homer game of the season in the nightcap.
3/11/2017
Crusaders Rally For Saturday Win Over Tennessee State
The Valparaiso University softball team earned its first win from behind this season on Saturday, scoring four unanswered runs to defeat Tennessee State, 4-2, in action from the Leon Smith Classic in Oxford, Ala.
3/10/2017
Softball Splits On Opening Day At Leon Smith Classic
The Valparaiso University softball team earned a split of the day’s action thanks to the big bats of senior Sam Stewart (Frankfort, Ill./Lincoln-Way East) and sophomore Carly Trepanier (Manteno, Ill./Manteno) in the day’s finale in an 8-6 victory over SE Missouri State, as Trepanier delivered the game-winning hit in the seventh inning. The Crusaders dropped a 1-0 decision to a strong Belmont squad in the opener of the Leon Smith Classic from Oxford, Ala.
3/8/2017
Crusaders Edged By Top-Ten Alabama Squad Wednesday
The Valparaiso University softball team put together a tremendous team effort in its biggest challenge of the 2017 season to date, facing a #9/11 Alabama squad which entered the game at 20-2 on the season. Junior pitcher Ashlyn Montgomery (Lebanon, Ill./Lebanon) led the way with a tremendous effort in the circle, throwing a four-hitter against a strong Crimson Tide offense, but the Crusaders eventually fell by a 1-0 final.
3/7/2017
Softball Heads to Alabama This Week
The Valparaiso University softball team faces a perennial national championship contender in mid-week action as the Crusaders face #9/11 Alabama. Valpo will move on to the Leon Smith Classic over the weekend, hosted by SE Missouri State in Oxford, Ala., where the Crusaders will take on Belmont, Tennessee State, Eastern Illinois and Alabama State in addition to host SE Missouri State.
3/6/2017
Trepanier Named Horizon League Player of the Week
Valparaiso University sophomore infielder Carly Trepanier (Manteno, Ill./Manteno) has been named the Horizon League Player of the Week after recording multiple hits in all four of the Crusaders’ games last weekend in Nashville, Tenn. at the Purple/Gold Challenge.
3/5/2017
Softball Claims Wild Win Over Stony Brook
The Valparaiso University softball team came out of a topsy-turvy battle with Stony Brook on Sunday morning in Nashville, Tenn. right-side up, as the Crusaders held off one final rally from the Seawolves to earn a 10-9 victory in their finale at the Purple/Gold Challenge.
3/4/2017
Crusaders Fall Twice on Saturday
The Valparaiso University softball team came out on the wrong end of a pair of decisions for the first time this season on Saturday at the Purple/Gold Challenge in Nashville, Tenn, falling to host Lipscomb, 7-0, and to Eastern Illinois, 12-5.
3/3/2017
Crusaders Defeat Stony Brook, Set Mark For Best Start
The Valparaiso University softball team is 5-0 for the first time in program history as the Crusaders opened the Purple/Gold Challenge in Nashville, Tenn. on Friday with a 4-1 victory over Stony Brook. Senior Sam Stewart (Frankfort, Ill./Lincoln-Way East) continued her hot start to the season at the plate, while sophomore Jaymee Lawton (Goodyear, Ariz./Desert Edge [Utah Valley]) tied a program single-game record in the field.
3/2/2017
Softball Returns to Action At Lipscomb
After a weekend away from competition, the Valparaiso University softball team gets the spring slate started in earnest this weekend, as the Crusaders carry the best start in program history into the Purple/Gold Challenge, hosted by Lipscomb in Nashville, Tenn. Valpo will face Stony Brook twice and Eastern Illinois, in addition to the host Bison.
2/20/2017
Stewart Named HL Batter of the Week
Valparaiso University senior Sam Stewart (Frankfort, Ill./Lincoln-Way East) has been named the Horizon League softball Batter of the Week after her powerful performance at the plate helped lead the Crusaders to a 4-0 opening weekend of play last weekend.
2/19/2017
Crusaders Close Out Perfect Opening Weekend Sunday
The Valparaiso University softball team finished up an undefeated weekend of action to open the 2017 season Sunday from the Aggie Invitational in Greensboro, N.C., defeating Howard by an 11-4 final. The Crusaders took on Appalachian State following their win over the Bison, but the meeting was declared No Game after being called in the middle of the fifth inning due to a drop-dead time.
2/18/2017
Big Bats Lead Softball To Pair of Wins Saturday
The Valparaiso University softball team improved to 3-0 on the season with a pair of wins at the Aggie Invitational in Greensboro, N.C. on Saturday, taking down UMBC, 5-4, and host North Carolina A&T, 7-2. The Crusaders combined for seven home runs over the two victories, including two in each game from senior Sam Stewart (Frankfort, Ill./Lincoln-Way East).
2/17/2017
Softball Opens Season With Win at North Carolina A&T
The Valparaiso University softball team kicked off the 2017 season on a winning note Friday at the Aggie Invitational in Greensboro, N.C., taking down host North Carolina A&T by a 3-0 final behind a one-hit effort in the circle from juniors Ashlyn Montgomery (Lebanon, Ind./Lebanon) and Mackenzie Grossmann (Perry, Mo./Mark Twain [Morehead State]). Senior Jorgi Calombaris (Frankfort, Ill./Lincoln-Way East) connected on her fourth career home run in the seventh inning as well.
2/15/2017
With It Or On It: Crusaders Look For Repeat Success in 2017
Last season saw the Valparaiso University softball team put together a run for the ages, culminating with the program earning its third Horizon League Championship in the last five seasons. Seven starters from that team return in 2017 for the Crusaders, who open the season this weekend in North Carolina. But Team 35 is also a youthful squad, as nine of Valpo’s 19 players are in their first season with the Crusader program.
1/25/2017
Crusaders Tabbed Third in Softball Preseason Poll
Coming off of a Horizon League Tournament title and NCAA Tournament appearance last season, the Valparaiso University softball team has been picked to finish third in the Horizon League in 2017, according to preseason polling of the league’s head coaches.
12/8/2016
Valpo Softball Announces 2017 Schedule
Valparaiso University softball head coach Kate Stake announced today the Crusaders’ 2017 schedule as they embark on the defense of last season’s Horizon League Championship, including 15 home games at the Valpo Softball Complex.
11/17/2016
Valpo Softball to Host Pair of Winter Camps
The Valparaiso softball program will be hosting a pair of camps for campers ages 8-21 this winter. The Crusaders will host an All-Skills Camp at the ARC on Sunday, January 15, and a Pitching, Catching and Hitting Camp at the ARC on Sunday, February 5.
11/10/2016
Valpo Softball Signs Four Players to NLIs
Four newcomers have signed National Letters of Intent to join the Valparaiso University softball program for the 2017-18 academic year during the early signing period. The Crusaders will welcome three freshmen - Brittany Anderson, Ashley Barker and Addi Burke – as well as a junior college transfer in Kelsie Packard.
9/6/2016
Softball Announces 2016 Fall Schedule
The Valparaiso University softball team will play eight games over four dates during the 2016 fall season. The schedule includes a pair of games on both Saturday and Sunday of Homecoming Weekend.
8/30/2016
Valpo to Host Fall Pitching Clinic
Valparaiso University softball pitching coach Monica Wright will be hosting a weekly fall pitching clinic beginning Sept. 12, with a total of six sessions held on Monday evenings at the Valpo Softball Field open to applicants between the ages of eight and 18.
8/5/2016
Valpo Softball to Host Fall Experience Camp
Head coach Kate Stake and the Valparaiso softball program will host a Fall Experience Camp on Saturday, Oct. 8 at the Valparaiso University Softball Field. The camp is open to players who will graduate from high school from 2017 through 2022. As part of the camp, the softball program will hold an unofficial visit day the previous day – Friday, Oct. 7 – for any campers who wish to attend.
7/28/2016
McShane Returns to Crusaders as Graduate Assistant
Valparaiso University softball head coach Kate Stake announced today that 2015 Crusader alum Tarah McShane will return to the program this fall, joining the program as a graduate assistant.
