5/16/2023
Trio of Softball Beacons Earn Academic Honors
A trio of Valpo softball players received honors for their academic performance on Tuesday. Junior Regi Hecker (Lee’s Summit, Mo./Blue Springs South) earned MVC Scholar-Athlete Honorable Mention recognition, while she was joined by fellow juniors Emily Crompton (Salem, Ill./Christ Our Rock Lutheran) and Caitlyn Kowalski (Temperance, Mich./Notre Dame Academy) as the trio were recognized as Academic All-District honorees as College Sports Communicators (formerly CoSIDA) released its softball Academic All-District roll.
5/13/2023
Kehlenbrink Represents Valpo on All-Tournament Team
Valpo softball senior catcher Lauren Kehlenbrink (Ballwin, Mo./Parkway South) represented the Beacons on the MVC All-Tournament Team, as announced by the conference office following the tournament’s conclusion Saturday.
5/11/2023
Softball Announces Signing of Nine Freshmen For 2024
The Valpo softball program announced today that nine players have signed to join the program as freshmen for the 2023-24 school year.
5/10/2023
Softball Season Comes to Close Wednesday at MVC Tournament
The 2023 campaign came to an end for the Valpo softball team in the first round of the MVC Tournament in Carbondale, Ill., as the 12th-seeded Beacons fell to fifth-seeded Indiana State, 4-1.
5/10/2023
Hecker Named to MVC All-Defensive Team
Valpo softball junior outfielder Regi Hecker (Lee’s Summit, Mo./Blue Springs South) represented the Beacons on the Missouri Valley Conference All-Defensive Team as the conference office announced this season’s postseason award winners Wednesday morning.
5/9/2023
Softball Heads to MVC Tournament
The Valpo softball team heads to the 2023 MVC Tournament this week in Carbondale, Ill. As the 12th seed, Valpo opens tournament play against fifth-seeded Indiana State on Wednesday afternoon. The Beacons will have to win four games in a row in the single-elimination bracket to claim the tournament title.
5/7/2023
Softball Falls in Regular Season Finale
The Valpo softball team concluded regular season action on Sunday at the Valpo Softball Complex, falling 11-0 to Indiana State.
5/6/2023
Comeback Effort Falls Short for Softball on Senior Day
The Valpo softball team looked to earn a come-from-behind win in its last time at bat Saturday afternoon against Indiana State, but came up one run short of extending the game as the Beacons fell to the Sycamores by a 3-2 final. Before the game, the program honored the members of its senior class on Senior Day.
5/5/2023
Beacons Drop Series Opener to Indiana State
The Valpo softball team opened its final series of the regular season on Friday afternoon at the Valpo Softball Complex, falling 7-0 to visiting Indiana State.
5/2/2023
Softball Returns Home For Final Weekend of Regular Season
The Valpo softball team closes out the regular season this weekend as the Beacons welcome Indiana State to the Valpo Softball Complex for a three-game series starting on Friday afternoon. Prior to Saturday's game, Valpo will hold its Senior Day ceremony, honoring the four members of this year's senior class.
4/29/2023
Beacons Fall in Series Finale at UNI
The Valpo softball team dropped its series finale at UNI Saturday afternoon, 9-0. The victory clinched at least a share of the MVC regular season championship for the first-place Panthers.
4/28/2023
Softball Drops Doubleheader at UNI Friday
The Valpo softball team opened its final road series of the regular season Friday afternoon at MVC-leading UNI, falling to the host Panthers by scores of 7-2 and 3-0.
4/25/2023
Comeback Effort Comes Up Just Short For Softball at UIC
The Valpo softball team erased a four-run deficit in the top of the seventh inning Tuesday in MVC play at UIC to extend the game, but a sacrifice fly gave the host Flames a 7-6 walk-off victory.
4/24/2023
Softball Faces Final Four Road Games This Week
The Valpo softball team takes to the road for the final time in the regular season this week, with four games over the course of six days. The Beacons begin the week by closing out the season series with UIC on Tuesday in Chicago before trekking to Cedar Falls, Iowa for a three-game series with MVC-leading UNI this weekend.
4/23/2023
Beacons Fall in Series Finale to Drake
Drake scored in each of the first four innings as the Valpo softball team dropped its series finale to the visiting Bulldogs on Sunday, 8-0.
4/22/2023
Softball Drops Middle Game of Drake Series Saturday
The Valpo softball offense had its highest output of hits since the start of MVC play on Saturday, led by a three-hit afternoon from freshman Kim Rodas (San Bernardino, Calif./Cajon), but it wouldn’t be enough to top visiting Drake, as the Bulldogs came away 8-4 victors.
4/21/2023
Softball Falls in Series Opener Versus Drake
Coming off back-to-back MVC series wins, the Valpo softball team was unable to get its series against Drake off on a winning note on Friday at the Valpo Softball Complex, as the visiting Bulldogs earned a 4-1 win.
4/20/2023
Valpo Coaches Show: Meaggan Pettipiece
Valpo softball head coach Meaggan Pettipiece joins the Valpo Coaches Show, discussing the team's recent run of success, the outstanding pitching of late and what needs to happen to keep momentum into this weekend's series with Drake.
4/19/2023
Beacons Blank UIC; Clinch Season Series
The location changed on Wednesday, but the result stayed the same — another shutout from the Valpo softball pitching staff as the Beacons earned a 4-0 win at the Valpo Softball Complex over UIC. The shutout, Valpo’s fourth in the last six games, clinched the season series in the Beacons’ favor over their travel partners.
4/18/2023
Softball Carries Momentum Into Four Home Games This Week
Coming off a series win last weekend at Bradley which featured a no-hitter from Caitlyn Kowalski, the Valpo softball team returns home for four games this week. The Beacons welcome UIC to town on Wednesday, looking to claim that season series with a win, and then take on Drake in a three-game set over the weekend.
4/15/2023
Kowalski Tosses No-Hitter; Softball Takes Series from Bradley
It was a special day for Valpo softball pitcher Caitlyn Kowalski (Temperance, Mich./Notre Dame Academy) Saturday afternoon in Peoria, Ill., as the junior authored the 12th known no-hitter in program history as the Beacons blanked Bradley in the opening game of a twinbill, 1-0, to clinch the series victory. The Braves edged Valpo, 3-2, in the nightcap to keep Valpo from sweeping the series.
4/14/2023
Déjà Vu as Seib Throws One-Hit Shutout in Win Over Bradley
No, there isn’t an echo in here. For a second straight start, Valpo softball senior Easton Seib (Blue Springs, Mo./Blue Springs South) tossed a one-hit shutout, this time blanking Bradley in MVC play as the Beacons opened the series in Peoria with a 2-0 victory over the Braves.
4/11/2023
Gem From Seib Leads to Softball Doubleheader Split
Valpo softball senior pitcher Easton Seib (Blue Springs, Mo./Blue Springs South) celebrated Valpo Day by tossing the best game of her collegiate career Tuesday at Northern Illinois, posting a one-hit shutout as the Beacons downed the Huskies in the doubleheader opener, 3-0. NIU came back to down Valpo in the nightcap, 7-1.
4/10/2023
Softball Preps For Five Games This Week
Five games are on the docket this week for the Valpo softball program. The Beacons will step away from Valley play for the final time on Tuesday afternoon as they travel to Northern Illinois for a doubleheader, and return to MVC action this weekend with a road series at Bradley.
4/9/2023
Softball Drops Series Finale to Murray State
The Valpo softball team concluded its Easter weekend series at Murray State Sunday afternoon on a warm, sunny day, falling to the host Racers by a 6-0 final.
4/8/2023
Softball Falls to Murray State Saturday
The Valpo softball team dropped an 8-0 game in five innings via run rule at Murray State Saturday afternoon, as Racers pitcher Hannah James threw a perfect game.
4/7/2023
Softball Drops Series Opener at Murray State
For the second straight game, the Valpo softball team grabbed a first-inning lead courtesy of the bat of senior Lauren Kehlenbrink (Ballwin, Mo./Parkway), but the Beacons were unable to make that stand up, as host Murray State came back to earn a 6-1 victory.
4/4/2023
Beacons Earn Valley Win at UIC Tuesday
Valpo softball senior Lauren Kehlenbrink (Ballwin, Mo./Parkway South) delivered a two-run homer three batters into Tuesday’s game at UIC, which proved to be enough offense for Easton Seib (Blue Springs, Mo./Blue Springs South) and the Beacons’ defense as Valpo earned a 2-1 win in MVC play in Chicago.
4/3/2023
Valley Play Rolls On For Softball This Week
The Missouri Valley Conference slate rolls on this week for Valpo softball, with four games on the schedule. The Beacons open with their first midweek game against travel partner UIC in Chicago on Tuesday afternoon (start time moved up to 3pm), and then make the trek down to Murray, Ky. for a three-game weekend series against Murray State.
4/2/2023
Softball Falls in Doubleheader Against Missouri State
The Valpo softball team closed out its three-game series against Missouri State on Sunday from the Valpo Softball Complex, dropping a pair of games to the Bears by final scores of 18-1 and 5-2. Sophomore Lauren Sena (McHenry, Ill./McHenry) connected on her first collegiate home run in the opener.
4/1/2023
Softball Start Time Sunday Moved Up
The start time for Sunday's Valpo softball doubleheader from the Valpo Softball Complex against Missouri State has been moved up to 11 a.m.
3/31/2023
Beacons Drop Series Opener to Missouri State
The Valpo softball team returned home to the Valpo Softball Complex on Friday, falling in its MVC series opener to visiting Missouri State, 9-0.
3/29/2023
Softball Falls in Walk-Off Fashion at Purdue Fort Wayne
The Valpo softball team entered the bottom of the seventh inning with the lead Wednesday afternoon at Purdue Fort Wayne, but the host Mastodons scored an unearned run to force extra innings and eventually downed the Beacons, 6-5 in nine innings. Freshman Kim Rodas (San Bernardino, Calif./Cajon) connected on her first collegiate home run in the fifth inning.
3/28/2023
Four Games on Tap for Softball This Week
The Valpo softball team faces four games this week, taking a step away from conference play on Wednesday afternoon to play at Purdue Fort Wayne before returning home for a three-game series this weekend against Missouri State.
3/26/2023
Beacons Drop Series Finale to Illinois State
The Valpo softball team’s first home series of the season wrapped up on Sunday afternoon at the Valpo Softball Complex, as the Beacons fell by a 15-0 final to Illinois State.
3/24/2023
Softball Kicks Off Home Slate Friday
The Valpo softball team took to the field of the Valpo Softball Complex for its earliest home opener since 2015 on Friday afternoon, hosting Illinois State in an MVC doubleheader. The visiting Redbirds swept the twinbill by final scores of 14-3 and 8-5.
3/23/2023
Softball Series Schedule Update
Due to Saturday's weather forecast, this weekend's home-opening softball series versus Illinois State has been adjusted. The two teams will play a doubleheader Friday at 1 p.m. and close the series with a single game Sunday at noon.
3/22/2023
Softball Set For Home-Opening Series This Weekend
After playing the first month-plus of the season away from home, the Valpo softball team hosts games at the Valpo Softball Complex for the first time in 2023 this weekend as the Beacons welcome Illinois State to town for a three-game series March 24-26.
3/19/2023
Beacons Take Step Forward in Weekend Finale at SIU
While it might not show in Sunday’s final score, the Valpo softball team put together a strong performance in its weekend finale at Southern Illinois in Carbondale, Ill. The Salukis won by a 9-1 final, but it took a number of highlight-reel plays by the SIU defense to keep the Beacons from putting up at least four more runs.
3/17/2023
Beacons Drop Pair at SIU to Open MVC Play
The Valpo softball team opened up the Missouri Valley Conference schedule on Friday afternoon with a doubleheader at Southern Illinois, falling to the host Salukis by scores of 11-0 and 12-0.
3/16/2023
Weekend Softball Series Altered; Twinbill on Tap Friday
The opening series of the MVC slate for Valpo softball at Southern Illinois has been altered due to forecasted cold temperatures on Saturday. The Beacons and Salukis will now play a doubleheader in Carbondale on Friday afternoon at 2 p.m.
3/15/2023
Beacons Fall at Illinois Wednesday
The Valpo softball team took to the field for the final time before the start of conference play on Wednesday afternoon in Urbana, Ill., falling by a 9-0 final to Illinois.
3/14/2023
Softball Opens MVC Slate This Weekend
The Valpo softball team opens up the Missouri Valley Conference slate this weekend with a three-game series at Southern Illinois, which enters conference play with the best preconference record of any MVC program. Prior to the series against the Salukis, Valpo will make a stop on its way down to Carbondale to take on Big Ten opponent Illinois on Wednesday.
3/12/2023
Softball Drops Series Finale at EKU
The Valpo softball team fell in its series finale Sunday afternoon at Eastern Kentucky by an 8-0 final.
3/11/2023
Softball Comes Up Just Short at EKU in Series Opener
The Valpo softball team erased a three-run deficit in its series opener at Eastern Kentucky Saturday in Richmond, Ky., and then had the potential tying run on third base with one out in the seventh inning, but couldn’t complete a second rally, falling 4-3 to the host Colonels. EKU came away with a 15-2 win in the back half of the doubleheader.
3/9/2023
Softball Heads to EKU for Weekend Series
The Valpo softball team faces its final weekend of nonconference play this weekend, playing a three-game series over two days at Eastern Kentucky. The Beacons and Colonels will play a twinbill Saturday afternoon before closing the series with a single game on Sunday.
3/7/2023
Hecker Named MVC Player of the Week
Valpo softball junior Regi Hecker (Lee’s Summit, Mo./Blue Springs South) has been named the Missouri Valley Conference Player of the Week for the week of Feb. 27-March 5.
3/6/2023
Softball Closes Out Weekend in Louisville
The Valpo softball team brought its three-day weekend in Louisville, Ky. to a close on Monday, falling to Eastern Illinois, 10-0.
3/5/2023
Softball Falls to Eastern Illinois
Seven straight runs scored by Eastern Illinois were too much for the Valpo softball team to overcome on Sunday in Louisville, Ky., as the Beacons fell to the Panthers by an 8-3 final. Valpo’s scheduled second game of the day against host Bellarmine was canceled due to impending darkness.
3/4/2023
Seeing Double: Softball Picks Up Pair of Wins Saturday
It might have taken one more day than expected to get this weekend’s action from Louisville underway, but the Valpo softball team made sure it was well worth the wait on Saturday as the Beacons opened the weekend with a pair of victories, defeating host Bellarmine, 6-2, before edging Eastern Illinois, 2-1.
3/1/2023
Softball Takes on Bellarmine, Eastern Illinois This Weekend
The Valpo softball team continues early-season competition with a trip to Louisville, Ky. and the campus of Bellarmine University to face the Knights and Eastern Illinois. Due to forecasted rain on Friday, the five games over three days have been pushed back and will begin on Saturday, running through Monday.
2/26/2023
Beacons Fall in High-Scoring Affair Sunday
The Valpo softball offense enjoyed its most prolific output of the young season on Sunday afternoon to close its weekend in Madeira Beach, Fla., but it wouldn’t be enough to come away with a victory, as a three-run sixth-inning double by Oakland proved to be the difference as the Golden Grizzlies downed the Beacons, 9-7.
2/25/2023
Softball Drops Pair of Games Saturday
The Valpo softball team came out on the wrong end of its two games on Saturday at The Spring Games in Madeira Beach, Fla., dropping a 5-2 decision to Dartmouth and falling to UT Martin, 12-0.
2/24/2023
Softball Falls Twice on First Day of Action in Florida
The Valpo softball team opened up weekend action at The Spring Games in Madeira Beach, Fla. on Friday with a pair of games. The Beacons fell to Siena in their opener, 8-4, and suffered a 6-1 defeat later in the afternoon versus FIU.
2/22/2023
Softball Heads to the Sunshine State
The Valpo softball team continues early-season competition with its longest trip of the year, flying down to Madeira Beach, Fla. to compete at The Spring Games. The Beacons will face Siena, FIU, Dartmouth, UT Martin and Oakland over a three-day span.
2/11/2023
Softball Falls Twice On Final Day at DePaul Dome Tournament
The first weekend of the 2023 regular season came to a close for the Valpo softball team on Saturday afternoon at the Dome in Rosemont, Ill., as the Beacons fell 7-2 to Bowling Green and 9-2 to Eastern Kentucky.
2/10/2023
Softball Breaks into Win Column with Shutout of WIU
It was a simple formula for the Valpo softball team to earn its first win of the season Friday at the Dome in Rosemont, Ill. — junior Emily Crompton (Salem, Ill./Christ Our Rock Lutheran) delivered a fourth-inning RBI double and senior Easton Seib (Blue Springs, Mo./Blue Springs South) made it stand up with a six-hit shutout for a 1-0 victory over Western Illinois. The win was the first as head coach of the Beacons for Meaggan Pettipiece.
2/9/2023
Beacon Softball Kicks Off 2023 Season
The Valpo softball team opened up the 2023 campaign on Thursday afternoon with a pair of games at the DePaul Dome Tournament in Rosemont, Ill. The Beacons dropped a 7-1 decision to the host Blue Demons in the tournament opener before falling 11-0 to Saint Louis to close the evening.
2/7/2023
Softball Set to Open 2023 Campaign at Rosemont Dome
The Valpo softball team opens up the 2023 campaign this weekend at the DePaul Dome Tournament in Rosemont, Ill. The Beacons will open the season against the host Blue Demons on Thursday afternoon and follow with games against Saint Louis, Western Illinois, Bowling Green and Eastern Kentucky over a three-day stretch.
12/22/2022
Softball Announces 2023 Schedule
The Valpo softball program announced its schedule for the upcoming 2023 campaign on Thursday, a slate which features 14 home games at the Valpo Softball Complex.
12/7/2022
Softball Adds Autumn Acord to 2023 Roster
The Valpo softball program will add a mid-year transfer to its 2023 roster, as head coach Meaggan Pettipiece announced today that Autumn Acord will enroll at Valparaiso University and join the program for the spring semester. Acord will be immediately eligible for the Beacons and has two seasons of eligibility remaining.
10/13/2022
Softball Adds Assistant Coach Laney Jones
Valpo softball head coach Meaggan Pettipiece announced today the hiring of Laney Jones as an assistant coach. Jones will be in charge of working with the Beacons’ pitching staff.
9/21/2022
Meaggan Pettipiece Hired as Valpo Softball Head Coach
Valparaiso University Director of Athletics Dr. Charles Small announced today the hiring of Meaggan Pettipiece as the next head coach for the Valpo softball program. Pettipiece brings over a decade of experience as a collegiate head coach, most recently at the Division I level as head coach at Akron.
8/1/2022
Eight Valpo Softball Players Earn Scholar-Athlete Honors
Eight Valpo Softball players were honored on Monday for their work in the classroom during the 2021-22 academic year, as the National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) announced its annual list of Easton/NFCA All-America Scholar-Athlete honorees.
7/22/2022
Amanda Eberhart Accepts Position at University of Notre Dame
Amanda Eberhart has announced that she has stepped down as the head coach of the Valparaiso University softball program to accept a position as the associate head coach at the University of Notre Dame.
7/11/2022
Softball Adds Oregon State Transfer Morgan Flesland
The Valpo softball program has added another quality arm to its pitching staff, as head coach Amanda Eberhart announced today that left-handed pitcher Morgan Flesland has signed with the team. A native of Colbert, Wash., Flesland spent her freshman season playing for Women’s College World Series participant Oregon State.
