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.

The Crusaders’ fall slate begins on Sunday, Sept. 18 at Grand Park in Westfield, as they will face Indiana State at noon CT, followed by IUPUI at 2 p.m.

Valpo then comes home for Homecoming Weekend the next weekend. The Crusaders will host former Horizon League rival Loyola for a doubleheader on Saturday, Sept. 24 at noon. They will then welcome Grand Valley State the next afternoon, Sunday, Sept. 25 at noon.

The fall competition slate concludes for Valpo on Sunday, Oct. 2 as the team travels to Bloomington, Ind. for a pair of games. The Crusaders take on Lake Land (Ill.) C.C. at noon CT and then match up against host Indiana at 2 p.m.

Valpo returns 10 letterwinners from last year’s squad which won the Horizon League Championship and advanced to the NCAA Tournament for the third time in the last five seasons. The Crusaders also welcome a pair of transfers and seven freshmen to the program this season.