The Valpo softball program will take to the field for four days of competition this fall, starting on Sunday at Grand Park in Westfield, and will also host a number of clinics this fall. In addition, the program announced Thursday that Katelyn Massa has joined the staff as a graduate assistant.

Massa comes to Valpo after a stellar playing career at Southern Illinois from 2017-21. A four-time All-Missouri Valley Conference honoree, including First Team accolades in 2018 and 2019, Massa was the MVC Defensive Player of the Year in 2019. She closed her career third in SIU history and ninth in MVC history in career RBIs, and was fifth in SIU history in home runs as well. She helped the Salukis claim two MVC Tournament titles and advance to the NCAA Tournament on three occasions.

Valpo kicks off the fall season Sunday in Westfield at Grand Park with a pair of games, taking on Butler at 9:30 a.m. CT and Southern Indiana at 2:30 p.m. CT. The following Sunday sees the Beacons travel to Grand Valley State, where they will play two games. Valpo will host two doubleheaders at the Valpo Softball Complex to close out the fall schedule, welcoming Purdue Northwest on Saturday, Sept. 25 at noon and DePauw on Sunday, Oct. 3 at 1 p.m. The program will also host a Homecoming tailgate on Saturday, Oct. 2 in conjunction with the noon football game that alumni are invited to attend.

The program has five mini-clinics on tap this fall as well for youths in grades 6-12. There will be skills clinics held Sept. 11 and Sept. 14, and hitting & pitching clinics held Sept. 21, Sept. 28 and Oct. 5. For more information on all the clinics or to register, visit ValpoSoftballClinics.com.