Top-seeded Valparaiso will open its action at the 2012 Horizon League Championship on Thursday morning by taking on fifth-seeded Butler at 11 a.m. at the Valparaiso University Softball Field.

The Bulldogs advanced to face the Crusaders by virtue of a 3-0 victory over fourth-seeded Youngstown State on Thursday morning.  Thursday afternoon saw sixth-seeded Green Bay score five unanswered runs in a 5-1 win over third-seeded UIC.

Four games in all are scheduled for Thursday at the Valparaiso University Softball Field.  Fans can purchase an all-day pass for $8, with senior citizens and youths 5-18 only $5.  Youths under the age of five, as well as Horizon League students (with student ID), will be admitted free of charge.  If you are unable to make it to the park, live stats for every game will be available through www.horizonleague.com.

2012 Horizon League Championship

Wednesday, May 9

Game 1 - #5 Butler 3, #4 Youngstown State 0

Game 2 - #6 Green Bay 5, #3 UIC 1

Thursday, May 10

Game 3 - #5 Butler at #1 Valparaiso, 11 a.m.

Game 4 - #6 Green Bay vs. #2 Loyola, 1:30 p.m.

Game 5 - #4 Youngstown State vs. Green Bay/Loyola loser, 4 p.m.

Game 6 - #3 UIC vs. Butler/Valparaiso loser, 6:30 p.m.

Friday, May 11

Game 7 – Game 5 winner vs. Game 6 winner, 11 a.m.

Game 8 – Game 3 winner vs. Game 4 winner, 1:30 p.m.

Game 9 – Game 7 winner vs. Game 8 loser, 4 p.m.

Saturday, May 12

Game 10 – Game 8 winner vs. Game 9 winner, noon

Game 11 (if necessary) – Game 10 winner vs. Game 10 loser, 2 p.m.