5/27/2009
Korb Receives Third-Team Academic All-American Honors
Valparaiso senior outfielder Karen Korb (Indianapolis, Ind./Lutheran) earned one last accolade for her stellar career both on the field and in the classroom on Wednesday, as she was selected as an ESPN the Magazine Third Team Academic All-American as voted upon by the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA).
5/8/2009
Crusaders See Season End in Extra-Innings Slugfest With Loyola
Valparaiso and Loyola engaged in a slugfest Friday evening at the Horizon League Championships, with the lead changing hands on multiple occasions, but after tying the game with two outs in the top of the seventh, the Crusaders could not come out on top, as the Ramblers ended up earning a 10-9 win in eight innings. The loss concludes Valpo's record-setting season at 25-24.
5/8/2009
Crusaders Roll Over Penguins at Horizon League Championships
Valparaiso scored in four of its five at-bats Friday morning, eventually downing Youngstown State by run rule, 10-2, in five innings in loser's bracket action at the Horizon League Championships in Pendleton, Ind. With the win, the Crusaders stay alive in the double-elimination tournament and move on to face Loyola at 3 p.m. CDT.
5/7/2009
Korb Repeats as First Team Academic All-District Honoree
Valparaiso senior outfielder Karen Korb (Indianapolis, Ind./Lutheran) was named to the CoSIDA/ESPN the Magazine Academic All-District V First Team for a second straight year, as announced by CoSIDA today. Korb is now eligible for Academic All-American consideration.
5/7/2009
Crusaders Drop Heartbreaker at Horizon League Championships
Valparaiso led 4-1 entering the seventh inning of Thursday's first round game at the Horizon League Championships in Pendleton, Ind., but Green Bay struck for six runs in the top of the inning to earn a 7-4 victory.
5/6/2009
Strickland Named Horizon League Newcomer of the Year; Korb, Wolter, Ichiyama Also Honored
Freshman Sara Strickland (Phoenix, Ariz./Horizon) was named Newcomer of the Year and represented Valparaiso on the All-League First Team as the Horizon League announced its award winners on Wednesday evening. Seniors Karen Korb (Indianapolis, Ind./Lutheran) and Ashley Wolter (Denver, Iowa/Denver) each were named to the All-League Second Team, while Joylyn Ichiyama (Torrance, Calif./Redondo Union) joined Strickland on the All-Newcomer Team.
5/6/2009
Crusaders Set for Horizon League Softball Championships
Valparaiso enters the 2009 Horizon League Softball Championships as the sixth seed, opening the tournament with a matchup against seventh-seeded Green Bay on Thursday morning. The Crusaders are looking for their first postseason win as a member of the Horizon League.
5/3/2009
Valpo Heads to Horizon League Championships as Sixth Seed
The Valparaiso softball team will enter the 2009 Horizon League Championships as the sixth seed, the league announced today. The Crusaders will open the tournament against seventh-seeded Green Bay on Thursday, May 7 at 8 a.m. CDT in Pendleton, Ind.
5/3/2009
Crusaders Drop Regular Season Finale
Freshman Jordan Rutkowski (Alden, N.Y./Alden) went 3-for-3 at the plate and Valparaiso set a new program record for stolen bases in a single season, but it was not enough Sunday, as Cleveland State won by a 7-1 count in both team's regular season finale.
5/2/2009
Crusaders Fall Twice on Senior Day
The Valparaiso softball team honored its four seniors on Senior Day following Saturday's doubleheader against Cleveland State, but the Vikings spoiled the day, taking the opener 6-2 before winning the nightcap 10-5.
4/30/2009
Korb Repeats as Horizon League Scholar-Athlete of the Week
For the third time this season and the fourth time in her career, Valparaiso senior outfielder Karen Korb (Indianapolis, Ind./Lutheran) has been honored by the Horizon League as its U.S. Army Female Scholar-Athlete of the Week.
4/29/2009
Mother Nature Wins Again as Thursday Action is Canceled
Valparaiso's scheduled game on Thursday against #19/20 DePaul at the Valparaiso University Softball Field has been canceled due to forecasted rain throughout the day. The game will not be made up. Valpo will return to the field Saturday with a doubleheader against Cleveland State beginning at 2 p.m.
4/28/2009
Valpo Twinbill Against IPFW Canceled
Valparaiso's scheduled home doubleheader against IPFW on Tuesday has been canceled due to wet field conditions from overnight rains. The games will not be made up. The ‘Think Pink' event, with breast cancer survivors in attendance and with $10 pink t-shirts available for purchase to benefit the Porter County Breast Cancer Society, will now be held this Sunday.
4/27/2009
Seven-Game Homestand Caps Crusader Softball Regular Season
Valparaiso closes out the regular season with a flurry of home games this week, as the Crusaders will host seven contests over four dates. Non-league midweek twinbills against IPFW and nationally-ranked DePaul precede a three-game weekend series against league foe Cleveland State.
4/23/2009
Records Fall as Valpo Splits With Bulldogs
An Ashley Wolter (Denver, Iowa/Denver) grand slam in the first inning of the nightcap Thursday in Indianapolis set the tone, as Valparaiso rolled to a 12-2 victory over Butler. The Bulldogs earned a 3-2 victory in ten innings in the day's opener.
4/23/2009
Korb Earns Scholar-Athlete of the Week Honors
Valparaiso senior outfielder Karen Korb (Indianapolis, Ind./Lutheran) has been named the U.S. Army Horizon League Female Scholar-Athlete of the Week for the third time in her career.
4/22/2009
Valpo Drops Heartbreaker at Butler
Valparaiso led Butler 3-0 heading into the bottom of the seventh in Horizon League action Wednesday in Indianapolis, but the Bulldogs scored four runs in their last at-bat to steal a 4-3 victory from the Crusaders.
4/21/2009
Crusaders Head to Butler for Key Three-Game Set
A busy schedule gets a bit calmer for Valparaiso this week, as the Crusaders have just one three-game series, a mid-week set in Indianapolis against Horizon League rival Butler that provides an opportunity for Valpo to move up the Horizon League standings. The series has been adjusted to allow time for the field to dry from recent rains, as Valpo and Butler will now play one game Wednesday before a doubleheader on Thursday.
4/19/2009
Valpo's Finale at Green Bay Canceled
The final game of Valparaiso's three-game weekend series at Green Bay has been canceled due to persistent precipitation Sunday in the area. The game will not be made up. Valpo returns to action on Wednesday, April 22 in Indianapolis with a doubleheader against Butler.
4/18/2009
McGee Tosses Shutout as Crusaders Split With Green Bay
Freshman Sam McGee (Bloomington, Minn./Jefferson) dealt a five-hit shutout in the nightcap of a twinbill Saturday afternoon in Green Bay, Wis., as Valparaiso defeated the Phoenix, 3-0. The Crusaders rallied from a five-run deficit in the opener before succumbing in nine innings, 6-5.
4/16/2009
Last At-Bat Heroics Earn Crusaders Split With Purdue
Tied heading into the bottom of the seventh, junior catcher Whitney Warner (Greenwood, Ind./Center Grove) came up with the big hit, dropping in a walk-off single to plate pinch-runner Aubrey Sundling (Huntington, Ind./Huntington North) as Valparaiso defeated Purdue in the nightcap at the Valparaiso University Softball Field on Thursday, 3-2. The Boilermakers earned a 7-1 victory in the opener.
4/14/2009
Crusaders Host Purdue, Play at Green Bay
Coming off of a tripleheader sweep on Saturday, Valparaiso will play five games this week. The Crusaders will host Purdue in a doubleheader at home on Thursday before traveling to Green Bay this weekend for a key three-game league series with the Phoenix.
4/13/2009
Korb Named U.S. Army Horizon League Scholar-Athlete of the Month
Valparaiso senior Karen Korb (Indianapolis, Ind./Lutheran) has been named the U.S. Army Horizon League Female Scholar-Athlete of the Month for the month of March, the league office announced today.
4/11/2009
Crusaders Sweep Tripleheader From Youngstown State
The Valparaiso softball team took full advantage of a tripleheader Saturday at Horizon League foe Youngstown State, sweeping the three games by scores of 13-8, 3-1 and 8-0. Freshman Sara Strickland (Phoenix, Ariz./Horizon) set the Crusader single-season runs scored record, crossing the plate eight times on the day to increase her season total to 37.
4/10/2009
Crusaders-Penguins Showdown Postponed
Valparaiso's scheduled single game with Youngstown State in Youngstown, Ohio on Friday has been postponed due to persistent rain throughout the day. The Crusaders and Penguins will now attempt to play a tripleheader on Saturday, beginning at 11 a.m. CDT. All three games can be heard live on www.sportsjuice.com.
4/9/2009
Crusaders Fall Twice at Notre Dame
Valparaiso had its highest scoring output against Notre Dame in 24 years Thursday at Melissa Cook Stadium in Notre Dame, Ind., but it was not enough, as the Fighting Irish took the nightcap by a 17-9 score. The Crusaders dropped the opener to the Irish as well, 11-0.
4/8/2009
Valpo Softball Hits Road for Five Games
Valparaiso looks to bounce back this week as the Crusaders play five games in a three-day span. Valpo starts its trek east with a non-league doubleheader at Notre Dame on Thursday before playing a key Horizon League series at Youngstown State on Friday and Saturday.
4/5/2009
Crusaders Fall in Series Finale at Loyola
Valparaiso got out to a quick 2-0 lead on Sunday in its series finale on a cold, blustery day in Chicago, but Loyola scored one run in each of the final three innings, including a leadoff walkoff homer in the bottom of the seventh, to take a 3-2 victory.
4/4/2009
Crusaders Win Longest Game in Program History in Split With Loyola; Wolter Sets Career Home Run Mark
Jill Jacobson (Beecher, Ill./Beecher) scored the game-winning run on a wild pitch in the top of the 15th inning, and Stephanie Kelly (Plainfield, Ill./Plainfield) capped her complete-game win with a 1-2-3 bottom of the 15th as Valparaiso defeated Loyola, 4-3, in the longest game in team history. The Ramblers took the nightcap from the Crusaders by a 4-1 score.
4/2/2009
Crusaders Drop a Pair to Wright State
Valparaiso was unable to garner a victory over Wright State Thursday afternoon at the Valparaiso University Softball Field, as the Raiders won the resumption of Wednesday's suspended game, 9-0, before taking the series finale by a 6-2 count.
4/1/2009
Crusaders Drop Game to Wright State; Game Two Suspended
Freshman Sara Strickland (Phoenix, Ariz./Horizon) hit a two-run homer with two outs in the seventh to send Valparaiso's series opener with Wright State to extra innings, but the Raiders put up four runs in the tenth and held on for a 9-7 win. Game two was suspended due to darkness after four innings with Wright State ahead 5-0, and will be resumed Thursday at noon.
3/31/2009
Crusader Softball Set for Six League Games
A crucial week is in store for Valparaiso, as the Crusaders will play one-third of their remaining Horizon League contests over the next six days. Valpo will host Wright State on Wednesday and Thursday before heading to the Windy City to take on Loyola Saturday and Sunday.
3/29/2009
UIC Series Completely Washed Out; Crusaders Return to Action Wednesday
Due to unplayable field conditions from lengthy periods of precipitation this weekend, Valparaiso's scheduled Monday doubleheader against UIC at the Valparaiso University Softball Field has been canceled and will not be made up. The Crusaders will return to action at home Wednesday against Wright State with a twinbill slated for a 3 p.m. first pitch.
3/26/2009
Crusader Weekend Series Against UIC Altered
Due to the threat of unsavory weather this weekend, the schedule for Valparaiso's three-game weekend series against Horizon League foe UIC has been adjusted. The Crusaders and Flames are now scheduled to play a single game Sunday and a doubleheader on Monday.
3/25/2009
Crusaders Explode Offensively in Back End of Doubleheader Split
Valparaiso put up its highest scoring output in over two years, scoring multiple runs in all five innings as it downed Northern Illinois in the nightcap Wednesday in DeKalb, Ill., 13-1. The Huskies struck first in the opener and went on to a 5-3 victory over the Crusaders as the two squads split the twinbill.
3/25/2009
Crusaders Announce 2009 Promotion Schedule
The Valparaiso softball team announced today its promotional schedule for the 2009 campaign, highlighted by a giveaway of a pair of Allegiant Air tickets from South Bend to Orlando during the April 30 doubleheader against DePaul.
3/24/2009
Valpo Travels to NIU, Hosts UIC
Valparaiso continues play this week with five games over three dates. The Crusaders travel to Dekalb, Ill. to face Northern Illinois in a twinbill on Wednesday before returning home for a three-game series against Horizon League foe UIC this weekend.
3/23/2009
Crusaders Bounce Back for Doubleheader Split
Valparaiso pushed the game-winning run across the plate in the top of the seventh in the nightcap Monday in Indianapolis, Ind. to earn an 8-7 victory over IUPUI and salvage a doubleheader split. The Jaguars defeated the Crusaders in the opener, 10-1.
3/22/2009
Crusaders Conclude Weekend Sweep With 8-0 Victory
Valparaiso improved to 3-0 to start the 2009 Horizon League campaign with an 8-0, five-inning run rule victory over Detroit Sunday afternoon at the Valparaiso University Softball Field.
3/21/2009
Crusaders Ride Late-Inning Heroics to Doubleheader Sweep in Horizon League Opener
Trailing by four runs late Saturday against Detroit, Valparaiso came all the way back, as a Sadie Conner (Washington, Ill./Washington) 3-run homer set the stage for a walk-off RBI single by Ashley Wolter (Denver, Iowa/Denver) in a 5-4 victory. The nightcap was dominated by Stephanie Kelly (Plainfield, Ill./Plainfield), who tossed a two-hitter en route to a 7-0 Crusader win.
3/18/2009
Crusaders Drop Contest at Ball State; Second Game Cancelled
A three-run first inning by Ball State was too much for Valparaiso to overcome Wednesday afternoon in Muncie, Ind., as the Cardinals defeated the Crusaders 4-3. The second game was canceled due to inclement weather in the bottom of the first inning.
3/18/2009
Lagesse Earns Horizon League Pitcher of the Week Honors
Freshman pitcher Alex Lagesse (Beecher, Ill./Beecher) has been tabbed the Horizon League Pitcher of the Week after going 2-0 with a 1.65 ERA in three starts last week, including tossing a no-hitter against Bryant.
3/17/2009
Crusader Softball Heads to Ball State, Hosts Detroit
Coming off of a successful spring trip, Valparaiso returns to the state of Indiana with a 12-5 record and five games this week. Valpo plays at Ball State on Wednesday before opening Horizon League play with three games against Detroit this weekend. Please note the start time for Saturday's doubleheader has been moved to 2 p.m.
3/13/2009
Korb Earns Horizon League Accolades
Crusader outfielder Karen Korb (Indianapolis, Ind./Lutheran) earned a pair of Horizon League accolades on Friday. The senior was named the league's Player of the Week and followed by being named the U.S. Army Female Scholar-Athlete of the Week for the week ending March 8.
3/12/2009
Crusaders Conclude Spring Trip With Two More Wins
Senior Ashley Wolter (Denver, Iowa/Denver) connected for a solo home run in the top of the seventh inning to give Valparaiso a 5-4 win against Penn on Thursday at the Rebel Spring Games, and the Crusaders followed with an easy 9-1 victory over Yale in their final game in Orlando.
3/11/2009
Crusaders Run Away With Two Victories Wednesday
Valparaiso registered 14 stolen bases without getting caught once over its two games on Wednesday at the Rebel Spring Games in Orlando, Fla., leading to victories over Buffalo (4-1) and Robert Morris (9-3).
3/10/2009
Crusaders Down La Salle, Fall to South Dakota
Freshman Sam McGee (Bloomington, Minn./Jefferson) tallied Valparaiso's third straight shutout in the opener as the Crusaders defeated La Salle Tuesday at the Rebel Spring Games in Orlando, Fla., 9-0 in five innings. In the nightcap, South Dakota rallied for three two-out runs in the seventh inning to earn a 3-1 victory over Valpo.
3/9/2009
Lagesse Throws No-Hitter as Crusaders Record Two Shutouts Monday
Freshman pitcher Alex Lagesse (Beecher, Ill./Beecher) threw a no-hitter, while freshman Kelsey Phalen (Batavia, Ill./Batavia) hit two home runs as the Crusaders cruised to a 12-0 victory over Bryant Monday at the Rebel Spring Games. Senior Stephanie Kelly (Plainfield, Ill./Plainfield) tossed a three-hitter in the nightcap as Valpo completed the sweep with a 1-0 win over Sacred Heart.
3/7/2009
Crusaders Sweep South Dakota, Saint Francis at Rebel Spring Games
Valparaiso won back-to-back games for the first time this season on Saturday, defeating South Dakota, 3-1, and Saint Francis (Pa.), 4-2, at the Rebel Spring Games in Orlando, Fla.
3/6/2009
Trend Continues as Crusaders Split a Pair in Florida
For the third straight day, the Valparaiso softball team split two games at the Rebel Spring Games in Orlando, Fla. The Crusaders defeated Fairfield in the opener, 8-1, before dropping a 6-3 decision to Holy Cross in the nightcap.
3/6/2009
Korb Named One of 30 Candidates for Lowe's Senior CLASS Award
Valparaiso senior outfielder Karen Korb (Indianapolis, Ind./Lutheran) has been named one of 30 candidates nationwide for the Lowe's Senior CLASS Award in the softball division.
3/5/2009
Valpo Downs Holy Cross, Falls to Fairfield
The Valparaiso softball team captured its first game Thursday at the Rebel Spring Games, out-slugging Holy Cross 12-7, but fell in the nightcap to Fairfield in eight innings, 4-3.
3/4/2009
Crusaders Split Opening Pair at Rebel Spring Games
Behind a complete-game shutout with 13 strikeouts from Stephanie Kelly (Plainfield, Ill./Plainfield), the Valparaiso softball team earned a 4-0 victory in its opener at the Rebel Spring Games in Orlando, Fla. over St. Bonaventure on Wednesday. In the nightcap, the Crusaders led before giving up five runs in the seventh inning, falling to Niagara 7-4.
2/28/2009
Remainder of Frost Classic Canceled
Valparaiso's final three games this weekend at the Frost Classic in Chattanooga, Tenn. have been cancelled due to unplayable field conditions caused by inclement weather.
2/27/2009
Crusaders Drop Season Opener to Missouri State
Valparaiso held a 6-2 lead after the top half of the sixth in its season opener Friday against Missouri State at the Frost Classic in Chattanooga, Tenn., but the Bears scored five times in their final two at-bats, including a walk-off solo homer in the seventh, to take the 7-6 win. Valpo's scheduled opener against Sacred Heart was wiped out due to rain.
2/25/2009
Crusader Softball Squad Set to Open 2009 Campaign
The Valparaiso University softball program ascended to even greater heights last season, winning a school-record 30 games under the tutelage of head coach Randy Schneider. Now, entering the 2009 campaign, Schneider has the Crusaders positioned to maintain their sport among the league's best squads.
1/22/2009
Crusaders Tabbed Fifth in Preseason Poll
The Valparaiso University softball team has been picked to finish in fifth place in the Horizon League standings for the 2009 season in preseason polling by the league's head coaches.
12/2/2008
Crusader Softball Squad to Host Winter Clinics
The Valparaiso University softball team will be hosting various clinics on Sunday, January 18, 25 and February 1 at the Athletics-Recreation Center for youths ages 9-17.
11/17/2008
Crusader Softball Inks Three During Early Signing Period
Valparaiso softball head coach Randy Schneider announced today that Hayley Bridwell, Jennifer Hermanson and Jessie Marinec have all signed National Letters of Intent during the early signing period and will join the Crusaders as freshmen for the 2010 season.
10/23/2008
Crusaders to Conduct Hitting and Baserunning Clinic
The Valparaiso University softball team will be conducting a hitting and baserunning clinic for youths ages 18 and under at the Athletics-Recreation Center on Saturday, Nov. 8 from 9 a.m.-noon.
10/16/2008
Crusaders Enjoy Success During Fall Campaign
The Valparaiso softball team wrapped up its 2008 fall season with an undefeated 6-0 record while also getting the chance to play eight intra-squad scrimmages.
10/8/2008
Crusaders Announce 2009 Schedule
Valparaiso softball head coach Randy Schneider released his schedule for the 2009 campaign today, featuring 16 home games at the Valparaiso University Softball Field.
10/1/2008
Crusaders to Hold Alumni Game Saturday
The Valparaiso softball team will be hosting an alumni game this Saturday, October 4 at the Valparaiso University Softball Field.
9/3/2008
Crusaders Announce 2008 Fall Schedule
The Crusader softball team will be hosting games at the Valparaiso University Softball Field each of the next five weekends as its 2008 fall schedule gets under way.
8/7/2008
Incoming Freshmen Experiencing Summer Tournament Success
Three members of Valparaiso softball's incoming freshmen class have tasted success at ASA national tournaments this summer, highlighted by a national championship won by Alex LaGesse of the Lemont Rockers DD.
7/28/2008
Trio of Crusaders Earn Academic All-League Honors
Karen Korb (Indianapolis, Ind./Lutheran North), Tracy Korth (Elgin, Ill./Larkin [Elgin C.C.]) and Andrea Zappia (Indianapolis, Ind./Franklin Central) have all been named to the 12-person Academic All-Horizon League softball team.
