6/10/2008
Crusaders End Season as Nation's Best Stealing Bases
The Valparaiso University softball team closed out the 2008 season as the nation’s most prolific team on the basepaths, leading all Division I softball squads with 2.57 stolen bases/game as the NCAA released its final official statistics update Tuesday. The Crusaders outpaced Women’s College World Series participant Alabama, which closed the year with 2.47 steals/game, for the top spot in the rankings.
6/10/2008
Crusaders to Conduct Defensive Skills Camp
The Valparaiso University softball team will be conducting a three-day defensive fundamental skills camp for youths ages 18 and under at the Valparaiso University Softball Field August 11-13.
5/9/2008
Softball Sees Best Season in School History End
Valparaiso ended the best season in the school’s history of softball on Friday evening with an 8-1 loss to the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay in the consolation bracket of the Horizon League Championships hosted by Loyola in Chicago, Ill.
5/8/2008
Valpo Falls to UIC in Horizon League Championships
Valparaiso’s bats were quieted on Thursday evening in Chicago, Ill. as the Crusaders managed just three hits in dropping a 2-0 decision to UIC in the Brown and Gold’s first game of the Horizon League Championships held at Loyola.
5/7/2008
Korb, Zappia Earn Academic All-District Honors
Valparaiso University’s Karen Korb (Indianapolis, Ind./Lutheran North) and Andrea Zappia (Indianapolis, Ind./Franklin Central) both were named to the ESPN the Magazine Academic All-District V First Team as announced today by the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA). Both Korb and Zappia will now be eligible for Academic All-American consideration.
5/7/2008
Three Crusaders, Schneider Earn Horizon League Accolades
Tracy Korth (Elgin, Ill./Larkin [Elgin C.C.]) and Andrea Zappia (Indianapolis, Ind./Franklin Central) each received First Team All-Horizon League honors, while Shannon Robinson (Toronto, Ontario/John Redmond) earned Second Team accolades and Randy Schneider was named Co-Coach of the Year as the league announced its award winners Wednesday evening.
5/6/2008
Crusaders Head to Horizon League Championship as Second Seed
Valparaiso opens Horizon League Championship play on Thursday evening as the second seed, facing the winner of a first-round game between UIC and Youngstown State. The Crusaders, who have already set a school record with 30 victories this season, are looking to win the double-elimination tournament and advance to the NCAA Tournament for the first time in program history.
5/5/2008
Crusaders Head Into Horizon League Championship as Second Seed
Fresh off of a record-setting regular season, the Valparaiso softball team heads into this weekend’s 2008 Horizon League Championship as the second seed. The tournament will be contested in Chicago, Ill. at Loyola Softball Park, starting on Thursday, May 8.
5/4/2008
Valpo Splits Twinbill at Cleveland State to Close Out Regular Season
Valparaiso took the opening game of a doubleheader at Cleveland State on Sunday, 1-0 in eight innings, giving itself a shot to win the Horizon League regular season championship in the finale, but the Vikings rebounded for a 4-1 win over the Crusaders in the nightcap.
5/3/2008
Crusaders' Doubleheader at Cleveland State Postponed
The Valparaiso softball team’s scheduled doubleheader at Cleveland State on Saturday has been postponed due to unfavorable weather conditions. The two teams, who were scheduled to play a three-game series, will now just play one doubleheader on Sunday beginning at 10 a.m. CDT. Valpo can win the Horizon League regular season championship if it sweeps the twinbill.
4/29/2008
Crusaders Fall to Notre Dame in Home Finale
Valparaiso played even with Notre Dame for the first four innings Tuesday afternoon at the Valparaiso University Softball Field, but the Fighting Irish pushed ahead a run in the fifth inning and went on to earn a 6-0 victory.
4/28/2008
Crusaders Head Into Final Week of Regular Season With Shot at League Championship
Valparaiso enters the final week of regular season play this week with a shot at capturing the Horizon League championship in a weekend series at Cleveland State. Prior to the decisive three-game set, Valpo will close out the non-conference portion of the schedule, as well as its home slate, with a single game against Notre Dame.
4/27/2008
Zappia Breaks Single-Season Wins Record as Crusaders Knock Off Youngstown State
Andrea Zappia (Indianapolis, Ind./Franklin Central) earned her program-record 18th victory of the season Sunday with a complete-game effort, while Shannon Robinson (Toronto, Ontario/John Redmond) tied the career doubles record as Valparaiso defeated Youngstown State, 13-5, in the final game of a three-game set. The Crusaders also set a team single-season record for RBIs in a season during the victory.
4/26/2008
Crusaders Break Single-Season Wins Record
Senior Courtney LaFerle (Elgin, Ill./Larkin) knocked a two-run single up the middle in the fifth inning on Senior Day to give Valparaiso the lead for good as the Crusaders beat Youngstown State in the opener, 4-1, to set a new program record for wins in a single season with 28. The Penguins bounced back to defeat Valpo in the nightcap, 7-2.
4/24/2008
Crusaders Split Twinbill at Wright State; Tie Single-Season Wins Record
Valparaiso split a Horizon League doubleheader with Wright State on Thursday afternoon in Dayton, Ohio, taking the opener 3-2 in nine innings before falling 4-2 in the nightcap. The Crusaders tied the school record for victories in a single season with the win in the first game, while Andrea Zappia (Indianapolis, Ind./Franklin Central) broke the program record for strikeouts in a single season in the opener.
4/24/2008
Notre Dame Game Date Changed
The Valparaiso softball team’s home game against Notre Dame, originally scheduled for next Thursday, May 1, will now be held on Tuesday, April 29 at the Valparaiso University Softball Field. First pitch will remain at 5 p.m. CDT.
4/22/2008
Pitching Carries Crusaders Into First Place
Valparaiso pitchers Andrea Zappia (Indianapolis, Ind./Franklin Central) and Stephanie Kelly (Plainfield, Ill./Plainfield) combined to allow just one Butler baserunner past first base on the day as the Crusaders swept a Horizon League doubleheader from the Bulldogs by identical 2-0 scores. The sweep moves Valpo into first place in the league standings.
4/21/2008
Crusaders Ready for Key Stretch of Seven League Games This Week
Valparaiso returns to Horizon League play with a full slate of games this week, playing seven league contests in a six-day span. The Crusaders are set up for a run at the top spot in the league, as they enter the week in second place. There will be a tailgate held beginning at 1 p.m prior to Tuesday's doubleheader with Butler, with a first pitch of 2 p.m. Open to all fans, the tailgate will feature free food and music.
4/15/2008
Crusaders Earn Doubleheader Split at Purdue
Valparaiso scored three times in the top of the eighth inning of the nightcap of a doubleheader Tuesday at Big Ten foe Purdue, earning a 4-1 extra-inning victory over the Boilermakers. Despite holding Purdue to just three hits in the opener, the Boilermakers scored a 3-0 victory as the two squads split the twinbill.
4/14/2008
Crusader Softball Team Carries Four-Game Win Streak into Purdue
Valparaiso steps out of league play this week, as the Crusaders’ only action is a doubleheader Tuesday at Big Ten foe Purdue. Valpo enters the twinbill on a four-game winning streak and has won six of its last seven games, and carries two consecutive wins against the Boilermakers into the pair of games.
4/14/2008
Gill Earns Player of the Week Honors
Senior infielder Mallory Gill (Beloit, Wis./Memorial) has been named the Horizon League’s Player of the Week after leading the Valparaiso softball team to a 4-0 record last week.
4/11/2008
Robinson Breaks Career Hits Mark as Crusaders Sweep UIC Doubleheader
Shannon Robinson (Toronto, Ontario/John Redmond) went 4-for-4 in the opening game of a Horizon League doubleheader and broke Valparaiso’s career hits record with a single in the sixth inning of the nightcap as the Crusaders swept UIC Friday evening by scores of 12-3 and 10-5. The third game of the series has been canceled due to forecasted inclement weather for the rest of the weekend.
4/10/2008
Doubleheader at UIC Pushed Up to Friday Evening
The Crusader softball team’s first taste of Horizon League road action will come one day earlier than expected, as Valpo’s doubleheader at UIC has been moved to 4 p.m. on Friday, April 11 due to forecasted weather over the weekend.
4/9/2008
Offensive Onslaught Gives Crusaders Sweep of Twinbill
Valparaiso scored eight runs before making its first out of the opening game of a doubleheader Wednesday at IPFW and never looked back, sweeping the Mastodons by scores of 12-3 and 8-4.
4/8/2008
Crusaders Begin Seven-Game Road Stretch This Week
After breaking numerous team and individual records last weekend, Valparaiso takes to the road this week, facing off against non-league foe IPFW in a doubleheader at Fort Wayne on Wednesday before returning to Horizon League action this weekend at current league leader UIC. Please note that the start times for Saturday's doubleheader and Sunday's single game at UIC are 1 p.m. CDT.
4/6/2008
Valpo Drops One-Run Decision to Loyola
Valparaiso came out on the wrong end of a 1-0 pitchers’ duel Sunday afternoon at the Valparaiso University Softball Field, as Loyola pushed across an unearned run in the third inning for the game’s only tally.
4/5/2008
Record-Breaking Day Propels Crusaders to Doubleheader Sweep
Three school records fell Saturday afternoon as Valparaiso swept a doubleheader from defending Horizon League regular-season champion Loyola at the Valparaiso University Softball Field. The Crusaders rallied for a 7-3 win in the opener and took a tight 2-1 decision in the nightcap. With the first win, head coach Randy Schneider earned his 100th victory at Valpo and 200th overall.
4/4/2008
Zappia Receives Scholar-Athlete of the Month Honors
The Horizon League announced today that Crusader senior pitcher Andrea Zappia (Indianapolis, Ind./Franklin Central) has been named its U.S. Army Female Scholar-Athlete of the Month for the month of March.
4/3/2008
Crusaders Drop Doubleheader at #18/25 DePaul
Valparaiso took early leads in both ends of a doubleheader Thursday afternoon against #18/25 DePaul in Chicago, Ill., but the Blue Demons rallied for victories in both games, taking the opener, 6-2, and the nightcap, 8-2. Karen Korb (Indianapolis, Ind./Lutheran North) stole three bases on the day, tying Valpo’s single-season stolen bases record with 21 on the year.
4/2/2008
Crusaders Head to Nationally-Ranked DePaul, Return Home for League Series Vs. Loyola
The Valparaiso softball team travels to nationally-ranked DePaul on Thursday for a doubleheader against the Blue Demons before returning home to the Valparaiso University Softball Field for a three-game Horizon League series against Loyola on Saturday and Sunday. Crusader head coach Randy Schneider will pick up his 100th win at the helm of the Valpo program with the team's next victory.
4/1/2008
Korb Receives Scholar-Athlete of the Week Honors
The Horizon League announced today that junior outfielder Karen Korb (Indianapolis, Ind./Lutheran North) has been named its U.S. Army Female Scholar-Athlete of the Week.
3/30/2008
Crusaders Fall in Series Finale to Detroit
Valparaiso rallied from an early four-run deficit to tie the game in the fourth inning Sunday at the Valparaiso University Softball Field, but Detroit scored the final three runs of the game to earn a 7-4 victory in the finale of the three-game series.
3/29/2008
Crusaders Sweep Detroit in Horizon League Twinbill
Valparaiso opened its inaugural season of Horizon League softball action at the Valparaiso University Softball Field Saturday, sweeping Detroit by scores of 10-0 and 3-2.
3/28/2008
Korb Selected to Attend NCAA Leadership Conference
Valparaiso's Karen Korb (Indianapolis, Ind./Lutheran North) has been selected to attend the 2008 NCAA Leadership Conference May 25-27 at Lake Buena Vista, Fla.
3/27/2008
Crusaders' Weekend Series against Detroit Moved to Valpo
The Valparaiso softball team’s three-game weekend series against Detroit has been moved from Detroit to Valparaiso due to unplayable field conditions at Buysse Ballpark. The two squads will now play a doubleheader at the Valparaiso University Softball Field on Saturday beginning at 2 p.m., followed by a single game on Sunday at noon.
3/26/2008
Crusaders Split Doubleheader At Central Michigan
Valparaiso’s offense carried the day Wednesday as the Crusaders split a doubleheader at Central Michigan, dropping the opener, 4-3, before rebounding for a win in the nightcap, 8-6.
3/25/2008
Crusaders Sweep Tuesday Afternoon Twinbill
Valparaiso took both ends of a doubleheader Tuesday afternoon at the Valparaiso University Softball Field from Northern Illinois, downing the Huskies 5-2 in the opener before earning a 5-1 victory in the nightcap.
3/24/2008
Valpo Opens Home Slate with Extra Innings Split
Valparaiso opened its 2008 home campaign on Monday afternoon at the Valparaiso University Softball Field splitting a doubleheader with Ball State. Both games went extra innings with the Crusaders winning the opener 1-0 in eight while the Cardinals took the nightcap 4-3 in nine innings.
3/21/2008
Crusaders' Weekend Series Canceled; Game Time Change for Tuesday
The Valparaiso softball team’s weekend series against Green Bay has been canceled due to forecasted temperatures in the Valparaiso area and will not be made up. The Crusaders will now open the home campaign on Monday with a doubleheader against Ball State at 2 p.m. CDT.
3/19/2008
Zappia Earns Horizon League Pitcher of the Week Honor
For the second time this season, senior Andrea Zappia (Indianapolis, Ind./Franklin Central) has been named the Horizon League Pitcher of the Week. Zappia earns this week’s accolade after going 2-0 with a save at last weekend’s Maryland Spring Break Classic, including a complete-game victory over #23 Maryland, Valpo’s first over a ranked opponent in the tenure of head coach Randy Schneider.
3/16/2008
Crusaders Close Out Pre-Conference Slate With Triumph
Valparaiso finished out its pre-conference schedule Sunday with a 3-2 victory over St. Peter’s at the Maryland Spring Break Classic in College Park, Md.
3/15/2008
Crusaders Defeat #23 Maryland in Saturday Action
Valparaiso used a seven-run fourth inning Saturday afternoon in College Park, Md. to defeat #23 Maryland, 7-5, in action at the Maryland Spring Break Classic. The win was the first over a ranked opponent in the five-year tenure of head coach Randy Schneider. The Crusaders dropped their first game of the day to Niagara, 5-3.
3/14/2008
Crusaders Allow Just Four Hits in Friday Split
Valparaiso pitchers allowed just four hits on Friday at the Maryland Spring Break Classic in College Park, Md., as the Crusaders split a pair of games. Valpo dropped a hard-fought 1-0 decision to Lehigh in its opener before bouncing back for an 8-0 win over UMBC.
3/13/2008
Crusader Softball Game Time Changed
Valparaiso’s March 23 game against Green Bay at the Valparaiso University Softball Field will now begin at 3 p.m. CDT. The game had previously been slated to start at noon.
3/12/2008
Jacobson Tabbed as League's Pitcher of the Week
Freshman outfielder/pitcher Jill Jacobson (Beecher, Ill./Beecher) has been named the Horizon League Pitcher of the Week after her outstanding performance in her first career start in the circle last week against Holy Cross.
3/11/2008
Zappia Earns Scholar-Athlete of the Week Recognition
Senior pitcher Andrea Zappia (Indianapolis, Ind./Franklin Central) has been named the U.S. Army Horizon League Female Scholar-Athlete of the Week after her outstanding performance last week at the Rebel Spring Games.
3/7/2008
Crusaders' Weekend Tournament Canceled
The Valparaiso softball team’s scheduled games this weekend at the Kentucky Frostbite Classic in Lexington, Ky. have been canceled due to inclement weather. The games will not be made up.
3/5/2008
Zappia Receives Horizon League Honor; Named One of 30 Candidates for Lowe's Senior CLASS Award
Valparaiso senior pitcher Andrea Zappia (Indianapolis, Ind./Franklin Central) has been named one of 30 candidates nationwide for the Lowe’s Senior CLASS Award in the softball division. In addition, Zappia was honored by the Horizon League as its Pitcher of the Week.
3/5/2008
Crusaders Extend Winning Streak to Five Games
Valparaiso got an RBI single from Whitney Warner (Greenwood, Ind./Center Grove) in the eighth inning against La Salle to earn a 4-3 victory, and closed out play at the Rebel Spring Games with a 5-1 win over Sacred Heart.
3/4/2008
Crusaders Take Two at Rebel Spring Games
Valparaiso avenged Monday’s loss to Lehigh with a win over the Mountain Hawks on Tuesday, 2-1, and followed with a 7-0 victory against Holy Cross in action at the Rebel Spring Games in Orlando, Fla.
3/3/2008
Crusaders Win One Monday at Rebel Spring Games
Valparaiso dropped its first two games Monday at the Rebel Spring Games in Orlando, Fla., falling to Western Carolina, 4-3, and Lehigh, 1-0, both in eight innings. The Crusaders bounced back, however, defeating Fairfield, 12-4, in their final game of the day.
3/2/2008
Korb Breaks Career Stolen Bases Record as Crusaders Win Twice at Rebel Spring Games
Junior Karen Korb (Indianapolis, Ind./Lutheran North) stole two bases in the third inning of Valparaiso’s 2-0 victory over Sacred Heart Sunday morning at the Rebel Spring Games in Orlando, Fla., breaking the Crusader career stolen bases record previously held by Laura Ebersole. Valpo came from behind to win the nightcap against Holy Cross, 7-6, to finish the day.
3/1/2008
Softball Doubleheader at Rebel Spring Games Canceled
The Valparaiso softball team’s scheduled doubleheader at the Rebel Spring Games in Orlando, Fla. against Fairfield today has been canceled due to travel difficulties for the Stags.
2/27/2008
Warner Named Horizon League Player of the Week
Sophomore Whitney Warner (Greenwood, Ind./Center Grove) has been named the Horizon League softball Player of the Week today after kicking off the season with seven hits in three games last weekend at the Tulsa Invitational.
2/24/2008
Crusaders Defeat Eastern Illinois, 6-1
Valparaiso closed out action at the Tulsa Invitational Sunday morning by earning its first victory of the 2008 season with a 6-1 win over Eastern Illinois.
2/23/2008
Crusaders Fall To North Dakota State, Tulsa
Junior Ashley Wolter (Denver, Iowa) hit two home runs during a 4-for-5 day, but Valparaiso dropped its first two games of the 2008 campaign, falling 4-3 to North Dakota State and 8-5 against Tulsa at the Tulsa Invitational.
2/22/2008
Game Against Tulsa Postponed; Tournament Schedule Revised
Valparaiso’s season-opener at the Tulsa Invitational against the host Golden Hurricane has been postponed for a second time. In addition, the tournament schedule has been revised for the rest of the weekend.
2/20/2008
Crusaders Aim to Build on Record-Setting Campaign in 2008
The Valparaiso University softball program has been on the upswing the past few years, climbing to a school record-tying 27 victories last season while setting team single-season records for home runs, runs batted in, slugging percentage and stolen bases. The Crusaders will look to continue their upward momentum in 2008 as they enter the Horizon League, as head coach Randy Schneider returns his entire pitching staff, along with six starting position players.
2/19/2008
Crusader Games Moved at Tulsa Invitational
Due to inclement weather in the forecast for Thursday afternoon at the Tulsa Invitational, the Crusaders’ schedule for the tournament has been adjusted.
1/23/2008
Crusaders Picked Fifth in Horizon League Preseason Poll
The Valparaiso University softball team has been tabbed to finish in fifth place in the Horizon League in preseason polling of the league’s head coaches.
12/27/2007
Softball Team to Hold Two Days of Clinics
The Valparaiso University softball team will be hosting pitching clinics on Sunday, January 20 and defensive skills/hitting clinics on Sunday, February 3 for youths from 10-18 years old.
12/10/2007
Crusaders Announce 2008 Softball Schedule
Valparaiso University head softball coach Randy Schneider announced his 2008 schedule today, which is highlighted by 16 home games over ten dates at the Valparaiso University Softball Field.
11/26/2007
Crusaders Ink Seven Softball Recruits to NLIs
Head coach Randy Schneider announced today that the Valparaiso softball team has signed seven players to National Letters of Intent during the early signing period. The group of seven players, which includes an NFCA High School All-American and four players considered Top Prospects from the class of 2008 by Rivals.com, will join the Crusader program as freshmen for the 2009 season.
11/1/2007
Crusaders Boast 12 NFCA Scholar-Athletes
12 Valparaiso softball players have been named National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) Scholar-Athletes for their performance in the classroom last season. The 12 honorees helped the Crusaders to the sixth-best cumulative team GPA in Division I softball.
10/1/2007
Crusaders Among Nation's Top-Ten Academically
The Valparaiso University softball team posted the sixth-highest team grade point average in the nation among Division I schools last year, as released by the National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA).
8/27/2007
Crusader Softball Team Announces Fall Schedule
Head coach Randy Schneider announced today that the Valparaiso softball team will be playing eight games, including two games at the Valparaiso University Softball Field, during the fall of 2007.
7/25/2007
Crusaders Add Campos to 2008 Freshman Class
Head coach Randy Schneider announced today that Jenna Campos will join the Valparaiso softball team for the 2008 season. With the addition of Campos, the Crusaders have five incoming freshmen for their first season of Horizon League play.
